Cheatin' Chicken & Rice

Sometimes we all need something fast & frugal. No, not that. Or that. I'm talking about a recipe...

Two of the handy little servants taking up space in the Emporium kitchen are a crock pot and a rice cooker. Things can be thrown in and taste great without my further input. Spectacular is the word that comes to mind in such an instance. Today, we're going to utilize the rice cooker.

There is nothing better than good, old fashioned, made from scratch, comfort food when the weather gets nippy. Unless it's a fast & frugal version of said comfort food. Then, my friends, we have the best of both worlds. You know the two worlds I'm referring to: 1) the Norman  Rockwell version where Martha of Biblical fame meets Martha Stewart and together they plan the dinner to end all dinners, otherwise known as Dream World and 2) the 5 a.m. dash to hockey followed by a school field trip, benevolence, classwork, housework, laundry, and a dozen or two more things before 11 p.m., otherwise known as Reality. No, I'm not bitter about the unrealistic societal expectations of the modern woman*. Why do you ask?

*She can go take a flying leap. I feel better just having said that...

Now, where was I? Oh, yes the recipe:

Cheatin' Chicken & Rice

In a rice cooker combine:
2 Cups white rice
1/2 stick salted butter
1 Tablespoon dried chives
1 Pinch curry powder
1 Pinch garlic powder
12.5 oz can white meat chicken chunks, smooshed* with a fork to break up lumps, liquid drained & reserved
                    *smooshed is a technical term, for those of you prepared to ask

For the liquid quantity you should consult the directions of your rice cooker. For ours, 2 cups of white rice requires 2 1/2 cups liquid. In a large measuring cup pour the chicken juice (a.k.a. liquid drained & reserved from canned chicken) and top it off with water to attain the proper amount of liquid. Chicken juice = Flavor

Now, turn on that rice cooker and walk away. When it is ready, toss together a baby spinach & apple salad and slice up a baguette. Open up the rice cooker and gently fluff the Cheatin' Chicken & Rice. Give it a taste, then salt & pepper to suit you family's palette. Yum & done!