In the event you’re craving some cozy consolation meals however nonetheless need one thing wholesome, I like to recommend this gradual cooker hen and rice that is proper. Creamy and excessive in protein, it is made fully within the gradual cooker, utilizing a lightweight selfmade sauce blended with cottage cheese as an alternative of canned soup.
This Sluggish Cooker Hen and Rice is a wholesome twist on the basic tacky casserole and has shortly turn out to be a staple in my home.
It really took me some time to excellent this recipe, however I am very proud of the way it turned out. By including selfmade cottage cheese cream to hen soup, you possibly can create a wealthy and creamy sauce with out having to depend on canned soup. Even higher, the youngsters devoured it, which at all times looks like an enormous win.
Why I really like this gradual cooker hen and rice
This recipe checks all of the bins. It is comforting, protein-rich, and made in a single pot with easy components. Tender hen, fluffy brown rice, and recent broccoli prepare dinner collectively for a comforting but wholesome, balanced meal.
- Creamy with out a can: Blended cottage cheese is the key weapon right here. Create a wealthy, comforting sauce whereas boosting protein with out the usage of canned hen soup cream or processed thickeners.
- Easy meal preparation: Simply layer every part within the gradual cooker and let it do its job. It is excellent for meal prep because it makes quite a bit and warms up leftovers.
- For households: Even choosy eaters have a tendency to understand the basic mixture of tacky hen and rice, and it is a straightforward option to sneak some broccoli to the desk.
- Pantry necessities: Other than the hen and broccoli, many of the components ought to already be in your kitchen, so there is not any must go grocery purchasing.
Supplies wanted
- hen breast – Use boneless, skinless brisket to create a lean, high-protein base that turns into completely tender within the gradual cooker.
- lengthy grain brown rice – This provides a chewy texture and additional fiber. Be certain that it is not cooked so it could absorb all of the flavorful broth.
- hen soup – Select low-salt rice so as to add taste to your rice whereas controlling the salt focus.
- cottage cheese – That is the “secret” of hen cream sauce. Mixing creates a velvety, high-protein base with out the necessity for canned soup.
- broccoli florets – Provides coloration, texture, and vegetable taste with out being mushy.
- cheddar cheese – I really like utilizing sharp cheddar for the very best taste. If attainable, shred it your self. Pre-shredded cheese will not soften very easily right here.
See the total ingredient checklist together with measurements within the recipe card under.
The best way to make hen and rice in a gradual cooker
Step 1: Add onions, garlic, brown rice, salt, pepper, and broth to gradual cooker. Stir to mix.
Step 2: Add the hen breasts to the combination and drizzle with olive oil. Cowl and simmer over excessive warmth for 3-3.5 hours.
Step 3: Take away the cooked hen, let it relaxation for five minutes, after which lower it into bite-sized items.
Step 4: Mix the components for the cottage cheese “Cream of Hen” till fully clean.
Step 5: Stir hen, broccoli, and blended cottage cheese combination into gradual cooker.
Step 6: High with cheddar cheese, cowl, and simmer till broccoli is tender and cheese is melted, 15 to twenty minutes. serve.
ideas for achievement
- Stick with brown rice: Use lengthy grain brown rice on this recipe. White rice has a really brief cooking time, so it could flip mushy earlier than the hen is cooked.
- Maintain the lid closed: Watch out to not open the lid for the primary 3 hours. The gradual cooker loses a number of warmth every time you open the lid, and it takes about 20 minutes to get well. Conserving the lid tightly closed will be certain that the brown rice cooks evenly and stays smooth.
- Mix till clean. For the creamiest “cream of hen” different, mix the cottage cheese combination till all of the curds are gone. This can make the sauce velvety and forestall the ultimate dish from being grainy.
- Broccoli timing: Add the broccoli florets over the past 20 minutes of cooking. This can preserve it full of life, smooth and crispy, slightly than overcooking and melting into the rice.
Storage technique
- fridge: Let the hen and rice cool fully, then retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
- Reheat: The rice will thicken if not noted, so add some broth and reheat it within the microwave or on the range to loosen it.
- freezer: This dish might be frozen for as much as 3 months. For the very best texture, thaw within the fridge in a single day after which reheat.
FAQ
This recipe has been examined at excessive temperatures for the very best texture. Cooking at low temperatures could cause the rice to soak up an excessive amount of water and turn out to be overcooked.
One of the simplest ways to maintain your breasts juicy is to maintain it between 3 and three.5 hours. Utilizing a meat thermometer to test the inner temperature is 165°F will assist forestall overcooking.
sure. Boneless, skinless hen thighs are a good selection, and for those who prepare dinner them a bit of longer, they are going to be richer and extra forgiving.
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