comfort essentials: chicken & rice casserole

How To Make comfort essentials: chicken & rice casserole

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  Step 1
  PREP/PREPARE
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  Step 2
  What you will need? This is a one-pot meal that is easy to assemble. I like making it in a large skillet with a lid; however, you could use a heavy-bottom pot, like a Dutch oven.
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  Step 3
  What to serve with it? This recipe has a lot going for it, but two items come to mind… crusty bread and maybe a small side salad with your favorite homemade dressing.
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  Step 4
  How to store it? This will store a few days (3 – 4) in the fridge, as a matter of fact, you can fix it a day ahead and reheat when ready. It does not; however, freeze well.
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  Step 5
  Seasoning The tablespoon of seasoning gives the casserole its main flavor base. I would recommend one of the following: • Chili Powder (mild, medium, hot) • Cajun Spice (TonyChachere’s) • Taco Spice (Spice Islands) • Seafood Spice (Old Bay) Note: Since most spice mixes use a lot of sodium, I would make sure you do not use much, if any, extra salt. It also might be a good idea to add about just a half tablespoon of the spice and then add some more later, while simmering the dish. But, as with all recipes, taste and season as you go along.
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  Step 6
  Additional Ingredient Tips Mushrooms The mushroom I used for this recipe were organic sliced button mushrooms in a jar. If you use regular mushrooms, you might want to mix it up by using different types, for example you could add in some: • Crimini • Portabella • Shitake • Oyster The list goes on and on. Each variety brings its own unique flavors to this recipe. In addition, they can be fresh, canned, jarred, or dehydrated. Note: If using dehydrated, you might want to add a few additional ounces of liquid, to compensate for the water they will absorb.
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  Step 7
  Additional Ingredient Tips Black Olives I used a small can of sliced black olives, drained, but I have also used fresh, pitted black olives that I slice. To be honest, I did not notice a difference between either type.
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  Step 8
  Additional Ingredient Tips Chicken Stock I am a big believer in using stock in most of my recipes. It has a deeper, richer flavor, and the collagen from the extracted bones gives soups and stews a silky mouth feel and taste. If you do not have good chicken stock, then use an equal amount of low-sodium broth.
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  Step 9
  Additional Ingredient Tips Cheddar Cheese Cheddar, sharp variety, is a good partner for this yummy casserole; however, there are a lot of cheeses out there. If the weather outside is cold (as it has been lately), I like to add a bit of Jalapeno Pepper Jack. Cream cheese or Colby are two other good options.
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  Step 10
  Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
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  Step 11
  Cut up the chicken into bite-size pieces.
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  Step 12
  Finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic
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  Step 13
  Heat oil and butter in a nonstick pot over medium heat.
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  Step 14
  Dust the chicken with a bit of salt and pepper, and add to the pan, then cook until it slightly browns on all sides, 2 – 3 minutes per side.
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  Step 15
  You might need to work in batches, so you do not overcrowd the pan.
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  Step 16
  Remove the chicken and reserve. Do not clean out the pan.
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  Step 17
  Fonds, Fonds, Fonds Those brown bits on the bottom of the pan are called fonds. They are flavor bombs that you want to dissolve back into the other ingredients.
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  Step 18
  Add the onion and cook until slightly soft and translucent, about 2 – 3 minutes.
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  Step 19
  Add the garlic, and stir until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
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  Step 20
  Add the rice and dry spices, then stir for about a minute to thoroughly combine the ingredients and coat the rice.
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  Step 21
  Add the remaining veggies.
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  Step 22
  Stir for about a minute to combine with the other ingredients.
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  Step 23
  Add the stock and reserved chicken, then bring up to a simmer.
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  Step 24
  Cover and allow to simmer, until the rice has absorbed the stock, about 20 minutes.
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  Step 25
  Turn off the heat, and sprinkle on the cheese.
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  Step 26
  Cover and let rest for about 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted into the casserole.
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  Step 27
  PLATE/PRESENT
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  Step 28
  Serve with some crusty bread and maybe a side salad. Enjoy
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  Step 29
  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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  Step 30
  Namasté
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