Chicken and Wild Rice Bake

 "Cooking is not difficult. Everyone has taste, even if they don't realize it. Even if you're not a great chef, there's nothing to stop you understanding the difference between what tastes good and what doesn't" 

(Gerard Depardieu) 

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

    As I watched Jamie Oliver's captivating video, the sight of a succulent chicken bake roasting on a tray ignited my culinary curiosity. The simplicity of the dish, combined with its potential for endless flavor combinations, inspired me to embark on a culinary adventure. With a handful of ingredients and a dash of creativity, I transformed this humble recipe into a masterpiece that tantalized the taste buds.

 

        Let’s see what I put together for this simple and tasty dinner…

 

Chicken and Wild Rice Bake

Chicken Things, 4 bone-in and skin on

1 ½ cup of Wild Rice

a couple of handfuls of fresh green beans

1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

½ to 1 can full of water or chicken broth

2 cups of sliced Mushrooms

2 garlic cloves, diced

A pinch or two of Herbs de Provence

Salt & Pepper to taste

 

Instructions:

1. Prep the Chicken:

   • Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
   • Heat a skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of avocado oil.
   • Add chicken thighs, skin side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes.
   • Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
   • Set aside.

2. Prepare the Rice and Mushrooms:

   • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • Spray an oven-safe dish with cooking spray.
   • Add rice and sliced mushrooms to the dish.

3. Create the Sauce:

   • In a mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup with a small amount of chicken stock to thin it slightly.
     

4. Assemble and Bake:

   • Pour the soup mixture over the rice and mushrooms, stirring to combine. 
   • Place the green beans on top of the rice.
     
   • Place the cooked chicken thighs on top of the green beans.
   • Add more chicken stock if needed to ensure the rice is moist.
   • Cover the dish with a lid or foil.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the chicken is heated.
   • Check the rice after 30 minutes and stir to ensure even cooking.
     
     
     

5. Serve:

   • Remove the dish from the oven.
   • Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
     
     
     
   •  

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, consider browning the mushrooms in the skillet before adding them to the dish.
• Adjust cooking times as needed, depending on the type of rice and the desired level of doneness.

 

Final Verdict

    I appreciate the simplicity of this one-pot dish. While the flavors were promising, I felt the recipe could benefit from a longer cooking time. After about an hour in the oven, the dish was more tender and flavorful. With a slight adjustment, this could be a fantastic weeknight meal

 

 Tis the season for joy and cheer! So glad you stopped by. Wishing you a wonderful rest of your [day/evening/morning], wherever your holiday adventures may take you. Until next time...