You don’t have to give up childhood favorites when making the switch to real food. I think this Homemade Chicken Rice-A-Roni is even better than the box! And it’s just as easy. This homemade hamburger helper is a big hit too.
Choosing a side dish is often something I struggle with, especially since I don’t like to rely on packaged mixes like mac-n-cheese or rice-a-roni. I used to use them, but my family’s nutrition has become more important than the convenience. This dish is super easy, tasty, totally frugal, and tastes great. There are lots of options to vary the flavors, too.
This recipe will be entered in this week’s October Fest Carnival of Super Foods, Broth/Stock Edition. I love to help people find recipes that use homemade bone broth beyond the typical soups. (I could also enter it in the carnival in two weeks, Un-Processed foods, for things you could buy at the store but make at home instead. I’ll share my Mexican version for that theme!) Last week’s carnival of beans had over 60 amazing entries. I guess this recipe could hook up with that, too! We are a bean-y family, after all, and I love sneaking beans into a side dish where you wouldn’t normally get them in a meal.
Bloggers, come on back on Thursday to link up YOUR broth/stock recipes!
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Designer Impostor Homemade Chicken Rice-a-Roni
Ingredients
- 1 c. brown rice
- 2 c. chicken broth (1 can plus a little water makes 2 cups)
- 1 chopped onion
- 1–2 stalks chopped celery
- can of black, kidney or other beans (or 1 1/2 cups cooked dry beans)
- salt (Use the code kitchenstewardship for 15% off of your first purchase) and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Saute onion and celery in a little water, oil or butter 5 minutes until limp.
- Add chicken broth and rice, salt and pepper; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.
- Drain and rinse beans.
- Add and heat through.
Notes
Freezes fine in single serving sizes.
Timesaver: If you have chopped celery and onion in your freezer, this is just as quick as the boxed stuff!
Cost: $1 with homemade chicken stock; $1.50-2 if using canned (but it makes a MUCH bigger batch than the little boxes of Rice-a-Roni, and the nutrition is far superior because you’re using brown rice and healthy fats, plus no MSGs.)
Super foods: 1 + 2 honorable mentions
*Props are due to Martha, our local Pampered Chef guru, for the recipe idea!
Healthy Upgrade:
Soak brown rice in one cup water plus 1 Tbs. whey or lemon juice for 7-12 hours or overnight. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth when it’s time to cook. (Why soak grains? A very short explanation here.)
Variations:
You can use just about any bean in this recipe, switch out the celery for sweet peppers, and add spices or spicy peppers to zoop it up a little!
I tried garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and subbed fresh yellow peppers for the celery. I think I liked it better than the original!
In this photo, I used garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and subbed fresh yellow peppers for the celery. I think I liked it better than the original!
Homemade chicken rice-a-roni is a great recipe for letting kids practice their cooking skills: stove top safety, chopping, sauteing and more!
RELATED: How to cook rice in an Instant Pot.
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I made this today and what came out is certainly delicious but not as creamy and it was done and even a little burnt after only 20 minutes. Any recommendations? The only thing we left out was the onions and we used garbanzo beans.
Lauryn,
What kind of rice did you use? If it was white rice or anything other than long grain brown rice, I’m sure that’s what happened.
Katie
I just stumbled on this website when I googled homemade rice-a-roni with brown rice. I was skeptical about finding anyone else who would’ve paired the words rice-a-roni and brown rice. I’m so glad I clicked the link! Now I’m signed up for the newsletter, and I plan to explore the site more as time allows.
Thank you so much for this recipe! I love Rice-A-Roni, but have wanted to make a healthy alternative for years. Your recipe is simple and delicious. Most of all my husband loves it, which is fantastic since he never loved how salty real Rice-A-Roni is. I can’t wait to check out your other dishes!
THANK YOU for the Chicken-flavored rice recipe! I made my 2nd batch of chicken stock today…thanks to your inspiration and tips!! I was excited to find this recipe for the rice.
After our 3rd son’s birth, our dear friend brought us a YUMMY meal that was SUPER healthy except it called for Uncle Ben’s Chicken flavored rice in a box. I’ve NEVER made it because I don’t buy packaged foods like that. However, your recipe here redeemed it!! Here’s the yummy recipe:
1) Bake 2-4 Chicken breasts in the oven (however you like to cook/bake/roast them. I brush them w/olive oil & add pepper, thyme, onion powder & garlic powder)
2) Make up a batch of your yummy chicken flavored rice. (If using 4 chicken breasts, double recipe). two boxes of Uncle Ben’s chicken flavored rice can be substituted here if you don’t want to use KS’s FABULOUS chicken flavored recipe above!
3) Once chicken is done, chop or shred (frozen shredded chicken can be used here)
4) Add chicken to rice once rice is finished.
5) Toss together 1/3 cup of olive oil AND white vinegar with 1 tsp. each of oregano & basil. Whisk.
6) Pour vinaigrette over chicken & rice mixture.
7) Chop package of grape tomatoes in half. (My friend’s recipe calls for a can of black olives finely chopped, but I omit that). Stir into chicken & rice mixture.
8) Serve over a plate of fresh, raw baby spinach leaves.
YUMMY. SOOOOOOO excited to have this recipe in my ‘repertoire’ now thanks to your chicken flavored rice recipe!
This is too funny! I was looking at a recipe that involved rice (I will be using brown of course), and I was wondering if I should soak the rice to make it healthier, since it’s a grain. Then I thought, I bet I can find out at Kitchen Stewardship!!! So I scrolled down and found the rice category and sure enough – you mentioned soaking it overnight! Quick question though, have you noticed that it affects the cooking time? As in, does it cook faster?
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my many q’s, btw! You’re blog has been so helpful for me in my real food journey!
.-= Kelli M´s last blog ..Hot Target Deal! =-.
Kelli,
I’m glad to be of help! I have not noticed soaking making cooking quicker, but others have mentioned that it does. ?? I may need to do a little test to see if soaking in plain water makes it cook faster, because that acidic medium may actually keep beans and rice firm longer. Have you seen the soaking grains exploration I’m in the middle of now? http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/seriescarnivals/soaking-grains-an-exploration/
🙂 Katie
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I love this idea!! My mom never made rice-a-roni or anything out of a box. I’ve been clicking through getting all of your time-saving ideas.
I love the celery idea and as far as the onions go, I love that too. I think I might put them in an airtight plastic container, too.
Also – as far as nuts go (from your time-saving tips!) I buy all my nuts in bulk and keep them in SnapWare so they stay fresh. It’s a big up-front cost but saves so much in the long run.
Finally – thanks for linking up to Slightly Indulgent Mondays!
That is a great recipe! I made Tex Mex Skillet last week with rice and salsa mixed, I thought it would be a great alternative to Spanish Rice.
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
.-= Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Apple Butter and Homemade Bread =-.
This looks wonderful! I’ve really missed rice-a-roni! I love how healthy all your recipes seem to be! That is what I try to do also on my site and in my life! 🙂
.-= Ari- Food Intolerances Cook´s last blog ..Easy Beansy Black Bean Soup =-.
Ari,
Welcome! I’m sure you have some recipes on your site that would fit into the Super Foods carnival this Thursday. I’d like to extend an invitation for you to join up…details here: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/09/18/announcing-october-fest-carnival-of-super-foods/
Hope to see you then!
Katie
Your version of rice-a-roni look great! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
.-= Cole´s last blog ..Tuesdays At The Table – Apple Blueberry Crisp & A GIVEAWAY! =-.
Sounds good. Why do you soak the rice overnight for an upgrade?
Brenda,
There’s a really basic description of soaking grains here: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/09/08/recipe-connection-soaked-100-whole-grain-pancakes-camping-variation/ and more to come when we tackle grains in a few months!
Good question – I should link this post to the pancakes.
Thanks, Katie
Good version of the boxed variety!!
.-= Lisa@blessedwithgrace´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday – Fall Apple Bake =-.
This looks so delicious! I’ve missed rice-a-roni so much. 🙂
On an unrelated note, how do you get whey and how long does it keep? I’ve been reading that lacto-fermentation is so good for you, but have been nervous about starting it.
.-= Jendeis´s last blog ..Pain Management =-.
Jendeis,
There are two ways to get whey: make cheese or use yogurt. You can make a simple cheese like this: http://www.cheesemaking.com/store/pg/49.html and get a whole bunch of whey (I made a half gallon of milk and got a cup of cheese and 7 c. whey). Add herbs and it’s soooo good on crackers.
Or drain yogurt through a cheesecloth, tea towel, or even a coffee filter. You can do a whole jar or just a few Tbs at a time. (Put a coffee filter over a jar and a few Tbs of yogurt on top – in an hour or two you’ll have whey in the jar and a sort of cream cheese on top.)
Whey is supposed to last for up to 6 months (it is a preservative itself), but I had some “go” on me after 6 wks or so. The great thing with the yogurt is that you can get just a smidge. L-f is really different – I tried pickles and salsa this year. (Recipes tab at the top.) I hope that helps!
🙂 Katie
Yummy! We used to eat Rice-A-Roni growing up, and I loved the creamy texture. This looks like a great way to enjoy that old favorite. Thanks!
.-= SnoWhite´s last blog ..French Bread Pizza =-.
This looks so yummy, I think Im going to have to make it for lunch today:-) So happy I found your site!