It is definitely autumn. The temperature has dropped and the leaves are beginning to fall. My brother in Colorado has already seen some snow. With that time of year we think of apples and pumpkins. My daughter had the chance to go with friends to an orchard recently and brought back a couple of pumpkins and a bag full of giant apples. We also have a Halloween week tradition of buying a Jack O' Lantern pizza from Papa John's. My girl is big on keeping traditions that she loves, so we couldn't not get a pizza on October 31.
Now that we're gearing up for Thanksgiving and the weather is cooler, I'm making even more use of my slow cooker. I know my post just 2 weeks ago was also a slow cooker meal.... but in my house it is the season for it. There is just something so comforting to me about it being cold outside and having something warm and comforting already cooking when I'm ready for it.
I do want to touch on a few ingredients I used this time that you may not use every day. I highly recommend each of these, but I also can tell you how to work around it if you don't have these particular items on hand.
Goya Adobo Seasoning is my base seasoning for this recipe. Honestly, I've been known to just sprinkle a bit of this on chicken before grilling it. This is an all purpose seasoning that I've seen in a lot of Puerto Rican dishes. If you can't find it in the store, and want to create your own, a copy cat version can be found at https://www.kitchengidget.com/2021/03/20/adobo-seasoning/
Balakian Farms Blended Heirloom Tomatoes is the next unique ingredient. I actually got these from a Cooking Panda subscription box and love cooking with them. However, if you don't have this on hand or in your store, feel free to use a can of tomato sauce with liquid (water or chicken stock) for this recipe. Which actually brings me to the next ingredient.
Orrington Farms Broth Base is what I like to use instead of buying cans or boxes of broth. I love the versatility of adding just a bit if needed without having to open and use a whole container of broth. Normally, I find this in my local Walmart. In this recipe I used 1 tbsp of broth base, 1/2 cup of water, and the jar of blended tomatoes. However, if you don't want to do that it isn't a problem. Use 1 small can of tomato sauce and 2 cups of chicken broth and you'll be good to go.
And that hidden vegetable I mentioned in the title???? That would be Riced Butternut Squash. I can usually find this in the freezer at my local grocery store. The butternut squash gives the rice a slightly creamy texture and since it is a similar size to the rice, any pieces that don't break down will blend right in. I never told my daughter anything except that it tastes like Spanish rice and she downed a whole bowl. They only need to know it's healthier if you want them to know.
What are the ingredients?
•2 boneless skinless chicken breast
•1 cup long grain white rice
•10 oz bag riced butternut squash
•14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
•1 tbsp Goya adobo seasoning
•½ tsp cumin
•1 tsp oregano
•½ tsp dried cilantro
•½ tsp onion powder
•½ tsp garlic powder
•1 tsp dried minced garlic
Option 1
•16 oz jar blended tomatoes
•½ cup water
•1 tbsp Orrington Farms chicken broth base
Option 2
•8 oz can tomato sauce
•2 cups chicken broth
How do you make it?
•Add all ingredients except chicken to slow cooker
•Mix well and submerge chicken breast
•Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until chicken is cooked through and rice is done.
That's it. Just put it all in the slow cooker and walk away for a while. Come back to a comforting bowl of chicken and rice that will warm you from the inside out. A serving is half a chicken breast and a huge scoop of rice. Since your rice includes plenty of tomatoes and butternut squash, you don't even need to feel guilty about indulging in this comfort food at all. It is approximately 400 calories for a good sized bowl of goodness.
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Nutrition Facts: Calories 403 Total Fat 2g Cholesterol 96mg Sodium1869mg Potassium 642mg Carbohydrate 60g Dietary Fiber 5g Sugars 8g Protein 7g
**Nutritional information generated by adding ingredients on www.myfitnesspal.com