One Pot Broccoli Chicken & Cheese Rice

Happy Sunday!!!!

This weekend has been so much fun..we went to a big fun birthday party, spent time with my parents, went to church, and I got a whole lot of exercise in.. but real life I am EXHAUSTED! Brandon has been gone all weekend to his annual Green Beer Open golf tournament and I opted to stay behind mostly because I didn’t feel like hauling my daycare down to Conroe :) I know you moms feel me on that. Sometimes when Brandon is away on a work trip or a golf/hunting trip I secretly enjoy just the special Mommy/Jaxie memories. I did a few things this weekend that were special and I really enjoyed the simplicity of the weekend. 

 I knew that after today, which was quite eventful I might add, I would need something easy to stick in the oven and just eat.. something that could be made into leftovers and possibly a lunch and dinner for the baby. Did I mention my dog ate an entire batch of chocolate chip cookies?? Yes friends, I spent my sunday evening inducing my dog to vomit the chocolate chip cookies that he inhaled while I took one second to pee. *sigh*

So now the dog is in his kennel, the baby is fast asleep, and I am showered ( FINALLY!) and in my PJs. I am too tired to even have a glass of wine.. yeah I’m THAT tired! 

Here is my fabulous dinner that I know some of you tired mamas need on your menu this week!

Shopping List:

4 bone in chicken thighs -skin on

one small onion - chopped and set aside

one head of broccoli chopped into florets

1 1/2 cup of rice ( I used organic brown rice)

Freshly grated yellow cheddar cheese ( or buy the bagged cheddar if you like)

3 1/2 cups chicken broth 

salt and pepper

olive oil

Procedure: Preheat Oven 375

Start by throwing your broccoli in a deep skillet ( preferably with a lid)  with about 1/2 cup of water. Turn to medium high heat and place a lid on top. Cook for five minutes until tender. 

Drain and set aside. 

Next salt and pepper your chicken to taste, then add some oil in the pan and sear the chicken on both sides until browned - about 6-7 minutes on each side. 

Remove the chicken and add your onions. Cook until translucent and then add your rice. Cook your rice with the onions for about one minute then add the chicken back in the pot and pour in the chicken stock. 

Place the lid on top and pop it in the oven and cook for 35 minutes. 

Remove the chicken once again and add the broccoli in with the rice along with the shredded cheddar. Place back in the oven for five minutes until the cheese is good and melted. 

Serve along side the chicken! SO SIMPLE!

Here is a picture of my sweet pea because he looks beyond cute in his new jammies:) 

My Favorite Kitchen Essentials

It's no secret that I love to cook.. with that said I feel like it is so very important to be cooking with the correct equipment. It is easier on  you and makes your recipes taste better! Now before I got married.. I made do with a wooden spoon as my whisk or my hands as my mixer...I didn't really have all of the fancy schmancy cooking equipment that I got from my wedding. Thank gosh for WEDDINGS!! Haha..and husbands too I guess. Anyways the following are some of my absolute favorite items that I use on a daily or weekly basis .. They are fabulous!!!

 

1. The cast iron skillet; I have said it before and I will say it again.. you haven't tasted good home cooked food unless it has been prepared in this skillet!!! I cook everything from eggs, cakes, cornbread, veggies, filet mignon, and various other recipes in this sucker. It holds its flavor so nicely from all the different seasonings and gives each dish a little kick! I am IN LOVE. 

 





2.  The Kitchen aid hand mixer. Any hand mixer is great but the kitchen aid one comes in fun girlie colors so that is why I like this one best:) I didn't really understand what was so cool about a hand mixer until I got one..  now I use it all the time! I whip my potatoes, or my cauliflower mash, cakes, cookie mix, puddings, yogurts you name it..I whip it. I love foods with a smooth texture so I tend to get whip happy and pull this little guy out at all times. Whipped bourbon sweet potatoes are SO good.. I may have to post about those:)

3. Next to the kitchen aid hand mixer.. is the Kitchen aid STAND MIXER. I am currently coveting this and hope to get it for Christmas from Santa.. but I had to put it on this list because obviously its freaking amazing!! Even if I don't  have one.. I am smart enough to know that this is a MUST HAVE.

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

4. Sur La Table potato peeler; sure this seems like just a little " big whoopie do" of a tool but it is SO your best friend when you are peeling potatoes...and even fruit and other veggies. I am so messy when it comes to peeling I get my peels ALL OVER THE PLACE but this little friend helps things stay neat and orderly. Not spilling, not making a huge nasty veggie mess. Clean. Get one.

 

 

 



 



 

5. Last but certainly not least..( In fact this probably should have been number one on my list) is the Keurig. I really feel like this is self explanatory but I will share its fabulousness out of courtesy :) The Keurig is hands down my favorite most beloved item in my kitchen. Every morning when my eyes pop open for the day, I instantly remember that I get to have my one amazing cup of coffee that I allow myself daily. Just standing in my robe waiting on the brewer to mix up the delicious "donut shop" coffee ( that's my fave:)) is totally orgasmic to me. Okay maybe not orgasmic but its really a pretty good start to my morning. If you do not have a Keurig please put one on your birthday list, Christmas list, anniversary list..whatever.. JUST GET ONE!