Spanish Rice with Chicken & Peas
My mom made this juicy chicken and rice for us every Wednesday. I still make it for my hubby. It reminds me of family dinners growing up.
My mom made this juicy chicken and rice for us every Wednesday. I still make it for my hubby. It reminds me of family dinners growing up.
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas thawed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt divided
- 1 small sweet red pepper chopped
- 1 celery rib chopped
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1-1/2 cups uncooked long grain rice
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-1/2
- 4 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 2-1/4 cups chicken broth
- Carbohydrate 6.99363778353409 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.285812441244733 g
- Fiber 1.85210747949096 g
- Protein 1.76306211543984 g
- Saturated Fat 0.0432248386760736 g
- Serving Size 1 1 servings. (137g)
- Sodium 50.0322553489719 mg
- Sugar 5.14153030404313 g
- Trans Fat 0.0813340662411031 g
- Calories 36 calories
Step-by-step
- In a small bowl, toss chicken with flour, pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- In a Dutch oven, heat 4 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat.
- Brown chicken, stirring occasionally; remove from pan.
- In same pan, heat remaining oil over medium heat.
- Add pepper, onion and celery; cook and stir 2-4 minutes or until onion is tender.
- Add rice, cumin, chili powder and remaining salt; stir to coat rice.
- Stir in remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10 minutes.
- Place browned chicken over rice (do not stir in).
- Cook, covered 5 minutes longer or until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
A Taste of Home: My Wednesday Night Tradition
The aroma of sizzling chicken and fragrant rice always fills my kitchen every Wednesday. It's a tradition I inherited from my mother, a culinary magician who made even the simplest dishes feel like a celebration. This Spanish Rice with Chicken and Peas isn't just a recipe; it's a warm hug, a comforting memory of family dinners, laughter echoing around the table, and the feeling of being utterly loved and cared for. It's a taste of home, a journey back to simpler times, a connection to the woman who taught me the true meaning of nourishment—body and soul.
Wednesday nights have always held a special place in my heart. As a child, the anticipation of this dish would build throughout the week. The rhythmic clinking of pots and pans, the sizzle of the chicken browning in the pan, the comforting steam rising from the pot – it was a symphony of culinary magic. My mother’s kitchen was always a hub of activity; a place where love was cooked into every dish. This recipe, passed down through generations, holds more than just ingredients; it holds memories, stories, and the heart of our family.
Now, as a wife myself, I carry on this tradition. The scent of this dish transports my husband and me back to those cherished Wednesday nights. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a reminder of the love and warmth that nurtured me. It's a bond that transcends generations, linking me to my past while creating new memories in our own kitchen. Each time I prepare this dish, I feel my mother’s presence in the kitchen, guiding my hand, whispering words of encouragement, and sharing her love through the simple act of cooking.
This dish is surprisingly simple, yet the flavors are rich and complex. The tender chicken, the perfectly cooked rice, the sweetness of the peas, and the subtle spice of the cumin and chili powder all blend together in perfect harmony. It’s a dish that nourishes not just the body, but the soul as well. The vibrant colors of the ingredients are as beautiful as the taste, making it a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. It is a dish I continue to cherish and will surely pass on to my children.
The magic of this recipe lies not just in the precision of the ingredients but also in the love that goes into making it. It is a recipe that has stood the test of time and continues to bring joy to my family and me. The simple act of cooking, of nurturing others through food, is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Each bite is a testament to the enduring power of family traditions and the comforting embrace of home-cooked meals.
So, on this Wednesday, or any day you crave a taste of home, I invite you to prepare this recipe. Let the aroma fill your kitchen, and let the memories flood back. This isn’t just a meal; it's an experience, a connection, a legacy. It’s a Wednesday night tradition passed down through generations, a testament to the power of love, family, and the simple pleasures of a home-cooked meal.
This recipe isn't just a collection of ingredients; it's a story whispered from one generation to the next, a recipe for happiness as much as it is for a delectable dinner. The flavors are merely the vehicle for a journey through time, a reminder of the warmth and comfort that only family and home-cooked food can provide.
