Yes, I’ve been there. Chicken meal preparation, rice and beans. And cilantro sauce. I don’t even know my organized self.
It’s December, my friends. Tell me about this:
How do you enjoy all your favorite things (cinnamon rolls, eggnog, Christmas cookies) without going into a crazy holiday-eating mode for 31 days?
I know the answer. My answer, anyway.
Pre-meal preparation: Make food and distribute it in advance for a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Yeah, I’m a little late to this. The concept of “meal preparation” has been around for a long time, and I’ve never jumped on that train until now. Something about this December has made me enjoy being a more organized and prepared version of myself because of the cookies. Those cookies are delicious. (Which reminds me – if you like baking, my friend Sally has a cute December cookie carnival, and I’m addicted to her cookie videos. Let’s get addicted together. Maybe I’ll get my act together this year and bake some. You’ll bake some, too. Youdabest, Sal).
Now, some chicken Fuzz.
How to prepare our chicken meal:
I always find that during the holiday season, while everyone (myself included) is thinking about cookies and treats, I want and need some delicious ordinary food to balance my mind and body. I’m talking about fresh, nutritious stuff with a slight spiciness now and then and a little bit of salt with a bit of crunch now and then.
It says to my body: Here. Take a break. Get some rest. Supplement your nutrition. Let’s get ready for the party tonight. There will be cookies. You’re going to love it.
The holidays are many things, but above all, isn’t it just an exercise in balance?
Well, it’s no surprise that I find using an instant pot for this recipe and general meal preparation helpful. Here’s why: You can let go, clean the fridge for a week, or wash the dishes within minutes of the food cooking. I don’t think instant POTS are for everyone, but they do work for things like this.
As always, it’s OK if you don’t have an instant pot. You can do it on the stovetop or in a saucepan. Both methods are in the recipe below.
One last point: lunch box? Aren’t they the cutest things you’ve ever seen?
They’re also glass, which is amazing because microwaving all those plastic food storage containers always struck me as a little weird. About a year ago, Bjork and I replaced all our food in the house with glass storage cabinets, and I’m glad we did. These small split glass pieces are my favorite additions to our home’s food storage collection. They’re unnecessary for meal preparation, but they make it more interesting, organized, and aesthetically pleasing. 👍 🏼 🤓
- Cook: Place the rice, water, tomatoes, salt, and oil in a pan and stir well. Add the chicken pieces and sprinkle with your favorite spices and salt. Set the instant pot on high pressure and cook for 7-8 minutes. When finished, use the quick-release valve to release the steam.
- Mix: Remove the chicken. Mix the black beans (and maybe a little sun sauce) with the rice.
- Prepare your meals: Divide rice and beans into 4-6 containers. Add a piece of chicken. Sprinkle with cilantro and drizzle with a spoonful of sauce.
What if I don’t have an instant pot? Cook the rice according to the package directions on the stovetop, then add the tomatoes and beans. Sprinkle the chicken with spices and cook in a separate skillet. I tried it in a saucepan, but it didn’t work very well. The rice became mushy, and half of it was not cooked. So, I don’t recommend using a saucepan!
Vegetarian versions and Other alternatives: Quinoa works! Tofu works! I made a quinoa tofu version with a cup of quinoa instead of rice and a package of tofu instead of chicken. It cooked in an instant pot for 5 minutes—fantastic! If you’re serving quinoa with chicken, I recommend cutting the chicken smaller so it cooks in 5 minutes.
Side dishes: My two sides are sliced bell peppers and a delicious trail mix.
How to reheat: We take out the peppers and assorted ingredients and chew them while they heat up in the microwave.
What about avocado? Yes, having an avocado handy is a good idea when you’re planning on eating this. I don’t prepare it with avocado because it turns brown very quickly.
How long does it last? This prepared chicken, rice, and beans meal will be in the refrigerator for about four days. I have never tried to freeze it.
