Monday, April 17, 2017

SemiHomemade Spanish Chicken and Rice.

Dedicated readers of my food blog know already that I really enjoy using Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides.  They help make meals quicker and easier, especially when time is not cooperating with your life.  So came a day when I had defrosted a package of 8 chicken thighs and a package of 8 chicken legs; removing skin and fat of course.  Having bags of frozen green bell peppers strips and diced onion (yes, I did this myself to have available when necessary), plus an assortment of canned diced tomatoes helped create a delicious meal in very little time.


 
Spanish Chicken and Rice
 
Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. paprika
8 each of chicken thighs and legs; skin and fat removed.
2 cups diced onion
1 large green bell pepper, seeded and julienned
2 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 (15.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
2 (5.5 oz.) packages Knorr Spanish Rice Sides
4 cups water

Preparation:

In a large skillet, medium-high heat, heat olive oil; season chicken with a mixture made with the salt, ground pepper and paprika.  Sear the chicken, only cooking partway; remove to plate.




In same skillet add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cooking for 10 minutes until softened.  Mix in tomatoes, cook another 5 minutes before adding contents of Rice Sides packages and water. 














Bring to a boil, add back chicken; cover, turn heat down to low and continue to cook for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat, uncover and allow any remaining water to be absorbed.  Chicken will have finished cooking and absorbed flavors from the seasonings in the rice packages.

Makes 8 to 16 servings depending on whether 1 or 2 pieces of chicken are eaten in one serving.

Note: instructions on the Rice Sides say to include oil; no need to since that is what the chicken and vegetables were prepared in.

Mary Cokenour