Spanish Chicken and Rice

5 Stars from Real Simple. Blech from me. Not the worst thing I've ever made (it was edible) but not 5 Stars. This tastes like a Weight Watchers recipe. And looking at the ingredients, it is easy to see why. No spice.

Also there is not enough liquid for 1 Cup of rice, so it was under done.. Also if you follow the directions the chicken will have cooked for 11+ minutes before the 20 minute simmering. My notes are in the recipe.

Servings were big. That was a plus except for the undercooked rice and the bland sauce.

Spanish Chicken and Rice

Preparation Time: 40 minutes minutes
Yield: Makes 4 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces
Kosher salt and pepper (added paprika)
1 medium onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, including liquid
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1/4 cup pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives, chopped (optional-I left out)

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper ( (and 1/2 teaspoon paprika) and cook until golden brown, 2 minutes per side. (Take out of the pan).

Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the wine, tomatoes and their liquid, rice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

Stir the peas into the rice and chicken (add it back in) and cook, covered, until heated through, about 2 minutes.

Spoon the chicken and rice onto individual plates and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with the olives, if desired.

CALORIES 442 (10% from fat); FAT 5g (sat 0g); CHOLESTEROL 66mg; CARBOHYDRATE 53g; SODIUM 574mg; PROTEIN 34g; FIBER 8g; SUGAR 11g

Real Simple, OCTOBER 2007