My Version of Chicken and Rice

My simple version of chicken and rice

 This is a recipe I made up many years ago. A favorite of Bill's. One of my first crock pot recipes. Hardest part of this dish is tearing up the chicken, other than that, easy peasy!! It is great to freeze and reheat at a later date. It makes quite a large quantity and can be increased just by making more rice and gravy. Hope you enjoy as much as we do!

INGREDIENTS:

4-6 chicken thighs or 2-3 leg quarters
2 chicken bullion cubes
onion powder
garlic powder
poultry seasoning
salt 
pepper
paprika
2 cups cooked white rice
2 pkg chicken gravy mix
3 tbsp corn starch 
2 cups cold water


DIRECTIONS:

Put small amount of water in bottom of crock pot..enough to cover bottom completely. Add bullion cubes and sprinkle about a 1/4 tsp of all the spices. Rinse chicken pieces, starting with back generously sprinkle all the spices on and pat them into meat. Place meat, seasoned side down, into crock pot. Then shake spices on top of chicken and pat into meat. Cover set on high, will cook in about 4 hours. If you are setting it up to cook while at work set on low then takes 6 or more hours to cook. Don't worry it won't burn if it is longer time period. It is going to be full of juice. Remove chicken from crock pot and remove skin and bones and shred into bite size pieces. Before you start shredding chicken put rice on to cook. Gives chicken time to cool down on plate while you are preparing rice. Follow direction on package to make rice. I like the more aromatic rices like jasmine so much more flavor. When I prepare my rice I put a chicken bullion in with water or use chicken broth and add all my seasonings I put on chicken. That way I have the same flavor cooked into to the rice and continue to enhance my flavors. So once you have rice on do your chicken. Rice should be done same time you finish with chicken. Mix chicken in with rice and mix thoroughly. Use a cheese cloth over a strainer or, as I do, use a very fine strainer, pour broth from crock pot through strainer into medium size sauce pan. Add about 3/4 cup water to broth. Put on stove top and bring to a boil. While you are waiting for it to boil mix your cornstarch with enough cold water to make it a thin consistency. Also mix your 2 packages of chicken gravy mix with 2 cups cold water, stir till dissolved and set aside. When broth boils slowly add cornstarch while using silicone whisk to stir rapidly to keep from lumping and sticking to bottom of pan. Once all the cornstarch is blended in let thicken then whisk in gravy mix till blended. Let boil one minute. Once gravy is thickened again pour over rice and chicken mixture and blend completely.I like to serve dinner rolls or, even better, crescent rolls with it. Corn is a good side dish that compliments this recipe.

  

Makes the house smell so yummy when you use a crock pot

One of the best things about using a crock pot is the wonderful smells that travel throughout the house...will have everyone anticipating dinner time. It is also a nice way to be able to serve your family a good healthy home cooked meal instead of a bucket of chicken or burgers from the local fast food joint. They get enough junk food make sure they are getting some good food too. It takes a little more effort on your part, but the smiles and mmmmms around the dinner table are well worth it.

Delicious shredded chicken..have to sneak a taste

This is such a simple but delicious meal. Who doesn't like gravy and rice? And you can make a small amount of meat into a large dish. I also use this recipe for leftover roast. There is never enough meat left to make another meal. But if you chop up the meat, make some rice and use your leftover gravy and add a couple packets of mushroom gravy to it and some fresh mushrooms, you have enough to feed the whole family again. Just steam some green beans and heat up some rolls. Or garlic bread is very good with this one, and you have a yummy meal from your roast that would have gone to waste. But as any recipe I give you make it your own...add veggies to yours..add peppers and onions to the roast one. Whatever sounds good to you and the ones you prepare meals for. If you don't like rice, use noodles or even mashed potatoes and pour gravy mixture over them. The thing is, the possibilities are endless when you just tap into your creative side. Don't be afraid to try something new...never know... might end up being your family's favorite meal. And it will be something you created!! If it is done with love you can't go wrong. No one knows your family like you do so put that to work for you!! Never be afraid to be adventurous in anything you do, let your flair, your personality, shine brightly through. You will be remembered and loved for making the effort!! Janie's philosophy :)