Chicken Tenders With Spicy Rice and Red Peppers is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings together tender chicken tenders with aromatic spices, zesty lime, and the comforting heat of red peppers and jalapeño, all served over a bed of perfectly cooked long-grain rice infused with chicken broth. This recipe is a delightful fusion of Southwestern U.S. flavors and healthy ingredients, making it a wonderful choice for a quick and satisfying meal. With a prep time of just 25 minutes and a total cooking time of 50 minutes, you can have this delicious dish ready to serve in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with friends and family.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the recipe and its nutritional information:
Chicken Tenders With Spicy Rice and Red Peppers
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cilantro | 1/2 cup |
| Ground cumin | 2 tsp |
| Hot paprika | 1 tsp |
| Mild paprika | 1/2 tsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Lime, juice of | 1 lime |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Red onion | 1 |
| Red bell pepper | 1 |
| Jalapeño | 1 |
| Long-grain rice | 1 1/2 cups |
| Chicken broth | 1/4 cup |
| Chicken tenders | 2 |
Instructions:
-
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine the cilantro, ground cumin, hot paprika, mild paprika, salt, and half of the lime juice. This flavorful mixture will be used to coat the chicken tenders.
-
Cooking the Chicken:
- Coat the chicken tenders evenly with the spice mixture prepared in step 1.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken tenders to the skillet and cook until they are lightly browned on one side, approximately 2 minutes. Then, flip the chicken tenders and cook until the other side is browned as well.
- Once browned, transfer the chicken tenders to a baking pan and place them in the preheated oven to finish cooking for about 15 minutes or until they are fully cooked through.
-
Preparing the Spicy Rice and Red Peppers:
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, add the diced red onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño over high heat. Cook for approximately 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the long-grain rice and ground red pepper, and continue cooking and stirring for about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, cover the skillet and let the rice simmer until it is tender, which usually takes about 15 minutes.
-
Assembly:
- Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter.
- Arrange the cooked chicken tenders on top of the bed of spicy rice.
- Drizzle the remaining lime juice over the chicken and rice for a burst of citrus flavor.
This recipe yields 4 servings, making it ideal for sharing with your loved ones. Each serving of Chicken Tenders With Spicy Rice and Red Peppers is not only delicious but also relatively low in cholesterol and rich in protein, making it a wholesome option for those looking to maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 500.5
- Fat Content: 11.8g
- Saturated Fat Content: 2.1g
- Cholesterol Content: 72.6mg
- Sodium Content: 1107.5mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 61.1g
- Fiber Content: 2.1g
- Sugar Content: 2.7g
- Protein Content: 34.3g
With its tantalizing blend of spices, succulent chicken, and aromatic rice, Chicken Tenders With Spicy Rice and Red Peppers is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this dish offers a satisfying and flavorful experience that will leave everyone wanting more.
