VAL'S STOVETOP 4Patriots CHICKEN DINNER BELL-BROCCOLI-RICE CASSEROLE; Castle Rock-WA

Val's Stovetop 4Patriots Chicken Dinner Bell-Broccoli-Rice Casserole; Castle Rock-WA

It's a little cool today, with a gentle breeze making the tree limbs dance now and then - and a husband asking for chicken for supper 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨‍🍽️ So, I dug around in the few remaining 4Patriots food packets, and settled on the light, but satisfying 'Dinner Bell Broccoli Bake' 🥘: the sauce makings are already included, as well as the rice & dehydrated bell peppers.

I used half a regular packet, that I had halved & repackaged with a heated vacuum sealer, because there is only 2 of us - use the entire packet if you are cooking for a family of 4 or more.

Halved packet for 2 people serving.

These meal preparations are handy for a road gypsy lifestyle … but they really do lack in substance & flavor; so, I jazzed it up a bit with chicken bits 🍗, spices 🧂🍃, flavorings 🧄🥕🧈, and cheese 🧀 - to make a hearty, comforting stove-top casserole that is perfect for a low-key Sunday meal - with very little time on my feet in the kitchen, and little clean-up afterwards 😊

You can make the recipe as written (I used what I had on hand, today) or customize it with add-ins such as ham, mushrooms, zucchini, Parmesan cheese, bread crumb topping, etc. Be creative in your kitchen 👩‍🍳‍ 

Val's Stovetop 4Patriots Chicken Dinner Bell-Broccoli-Rice Casserole ~serves 3

1/2 Packet 4Patriots Dinner Bell-Broccoli Bake, dry mix * 1 Lrg. Chicken Breast, cut into bite size pieces * Salt & grnd. Black Pepper, to taste * 1/8 tsp Paprika * 2 TBSP Olive Oil * 2 TBSP Margarine * 1/2 Yellow Onion, chopped * 1/2 c Carrots, shredded * 3 c Water * pinch of Mustard Powder * 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder * 1/4 teaspoon Cumin Powder * 2 TBSP Mushroom Powder * 3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce * 1/2 TBSP Lemon Juice * 1 TBSP Parsley, fresh & snipped * 1 c. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated

1 Lrg. Skillet w-lid * Manual-Pull Food Chopper * Lrg. Cooking Spoon * Lrg. Slotted Cooking Spoon * Measuring Spoons * Lrg. Pyrex Measuring Cup * Hot Pads * Supper Plates & Silverware

Manual-Pull Food Chopper.

Chopped onion & carrot.

1) Over medium-high heat; heat oil in skillet, add chopped veggies & chicken pieces … cook until soft and tender to the bite.

2) In Pyrex cup, blend 1 c water, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, spices, & mushroom powder … pour over meat & veggies in skillet:

Mushroom powder.

Blend spices & mushroom powder; stir into liquids.

Stir liquid blend into skillet mix.

Add dry packaged ingredients, remaining 2 cups of water, & margarine - carefully blend well with slotted spoon: bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium & continue cooking, stirring frequently until rice is soft (but not mushy); about 40 minutes. All stoves cook differently, so check rice periodically & adjust cooking time every 5 minutes ⏲️, if necessary.

3) Top skillet mixture with shredded cheddar cheese & parsley; broad-spread evenly:

Cover skillet with lid, turn off heat & let skillet mixture sit on flameless burner until cheese is melted. Remove from heat - serve & enjoy.

Val's Stovetop 4Patriots Chicken Dinner Bell-Broccoli-Rice Casserole; if you don't like the gravy style … let it sit a few minutes before serving: it will thicken as it cools.