Make rice with these healthy recipes into simple fluffy brown rice, chicken and rice for healthy meals to go with your delicious dinner. Try convenient one pot meal ideas for headache free cooking with your favorite healthy food for easy healthy meals.
Rice is eaten worldwide and there are thousands of different types of rice which ranges from long to short and brown to white. I have put together a couple of healthy recipes for your simple cooking using rice as the main ingredient.
Brown rice contains more protein, vitamin E, fiber, iron, niacin and potassium than the more refined white rice. My favorite staple food is brown basmati long grain for a more nutritious diet. If you like a less chewy texture, you can use white rice but they have been polished and striped of many good nutrients.
Chicken and Rice
An easy healthy recipe to make one pot meal for your healthy eating menus so you can cook delightful simple meal your family loves at supper.
Serves: 4
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in, skinless chicken breast
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped medium
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice or brown basmati, raised
- 2 ½ cup water
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen broccoli spears, thawed and chopped to medium size
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1cup)
- Lemon wedges
- Salt (optional) and pepper for taste
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels then season with salt (if using) and pepper. Heat the oil in a large heavy pot like a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
Add the onion, red pepper flakes with the remaining oil, over medium heat in the same pot. Stir and cook for about 3-5 minutes. Put in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Put the rice in the pot, stir and cook about 3 minutes. Stir in the broth and wine and bring to a simmer. Be careful not to let it over boil, it will be very messy.
Return the chicken to the pot. Cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked through about 25 minutes. If you are using brown rice you might want to cook it 5 minutes longer or to your desire softness. Remove the chicken to a serving platter. Pat the broccoli dry, then stir in with the rice. Mix in the cheddar and let it melt for 1 minute. Season the rice with salt (if using) and pepper (if desire). Serve with lemon wedges.
Tip– Cook the rice without the lid until it comes to a full boil, then cover with lid, lower the heat to low and let your meal simmer until it is done.
Do you like curry in your brown rice? This is a simple and healthy recipe that is worth trying.
Brown Rrice with Curry and Pistachio
Cook time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 large clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup brown basmati brown rice, raised
- 1 tablespoon mild curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (if desire)
- 1/3 cup chopped pistachios
For this healthy recipe use a heavy pot, heat the oil in the pan. Stir in the cumin seeds for 3-5 seconds, add onion and garlic and stir frequently for 2 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil, then put the rice, curry powder, and salt (if using).
Return to the boil without the lid, reduce heat and simmer, covered with lid and cook until almost all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 45 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it steam, covered, until all of the liquid is gone, about 5 – 10minutes. Stir in the nuts while fluffing up rice with a spatula. Your healthy meal is ready!