Foil Pack Salsa Verde Chicken Rice Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN & RICE FOIL PACKETS

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with 3 sheets of foil (about 6-8 inches) and set aside.
• Combine the brown rice, water and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning in a medium bowl and soak for 5 minutes. DIvide rice (and it's water) into 3 sheets of foil.
• Pound chicken with a meat tenderizer or a rolling-pin until they are even. Seasoning each chicken breast generously with the reaming taco seasoning. Place the chicken on the rice. Top each chicken with a few tablespoons of salsa and a sprinkle of cheese. Add the veggies and beans on the sides of the chicken. Drizzle each packet with olive oil and fold the sides of the foil over the chicken, covering completely; seal the packets closed.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until chicken's internal temperature reaches 165F. Remove from oven and carefully open up the foils; put the packets under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes. Squeeze fresh lime juice on each packet, garnish with cilantro and sour-cream if desired and serve.

ROAST CHICKEN WITH RICE AND SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Cut the carrots on the bias into 2-inch-long pieces, halving lengthwise any that are thicker than 1/2 inch in diameter. Toss the carrots, onions and 5 of the garlic cloves with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl until evenly coated, then spread on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Using kitchen shears, cut along each side of the chicken's backbone, removing the backbone completely, then discard or save for another use (such as making broth).
• Turn the chicken over, breast-side up. Using both hands, press down on the breasts to flatten the chicken. Rub all sides with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few good grinds pepper. Place the chicken breast-side up on top of the vegetables in the center of the baking sheet.
• Bake until the chicken is golden brown and the thigh registers about 150 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 40 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 500 degrees F and continue to cook until the chicken skin is deep golden brown and the thigh registers 165 degrees F on the thermometer, 10 to 15 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board to rest.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 cups water and 3/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the rice, stir to combine and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the water, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Cover and set aside until ready to serve.
• While the rice and chicken are cooking, finely grate the zest from half the lemon. Cut the lemon in half crosswise; juice half and cut the other half into wedges for serving. Place the lemon zest and juice, cilantro, parsley, remaining garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds black pepper in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Drizzle in the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil while pulsing to combine. Season the salsa verde with salt and pepper.
• Place the rice on one side of a serving platter and the roasted vegetables on the other. Top with the chicken. Drizzle the chicken and rice with any of the juices that remain in the pan. Serve with the salsa verde and lemon wedges.

FOIL-PACKET RICE WITH CHORIZO AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Toss the rice, bell pepper, chorizo, olives, tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Add the scallions, reserving 2 tablespoons of the green parts for topping.
• Tear off four 18-inch-long sheets of heavy-duty foil. Divide the rice mixture among the foil sheets. Add the chicken to the empty bowl along with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the paprika, oregano, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Toss to coat.
• Put the chicken on top of the rice mixture (3 pieces per packet). Bring the short ends of the foil together and fold twice to seal, then fold in the sides to form packets.
• Grill the foil packets, flipping occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove from the grill and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.
• Carefully open the packets. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and reserved scallion greens.

SALSA VERDE CHICKEN AND CAULIFLOWER RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Add bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in salsa verde, cauliflower rice, and broth. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 7 minutes.