Ah, chicken and rice, is that the ultimate comfort food combination? The answer is probably a "yes" in an Amish kitchen. Well, noodles, chicken and noodles would be a close second, but that is another post for another day.
What is it about chicken and rice?
🍚 The Amish and Chicken and Rice
Part of the appeal of this dish, beyond its comfort connotation, is its accessibility. Most Amish farmsteads have easy access to plenty of chicken. And big bags of rice are sold in bulk at many Amish stores, so rice is a shelf-stable staple in many Amish homes. And there is just so much you can do with chicken and rice! (or so much you can not do and still get a comforting meal)
Chicken and rice complement each other well in terms of flavor, texture, and nutritional balance, making them a popular and harmonious pairing in many cuisines.
🍗 Reasons For Chicken and Rice
- Versatility: Both chicken and rice are versatile ingredients that can be prepared in various ways, accommodating a wide range of cooking styles and flavors. You can find bland versions or spiced up versions, but either way you enjoy it, chicken and rice will still be tasty!
- Nutrition: Chicken provides an excellent source of lean protein, while rice offers carbs. This combination creates a balanced meal that can satisfy hunger and provide essential nutrients. Historically, many Amish have worked out in the fields all day; nowadays, it is just as likely to be the cabinet shop. But either profession is hard work and requires calories. So while many of us sit and count calories to limit them, many Amish want as many as they can get!
- Texture Contrast: Chicken and rice offer a nice yin and yang in texture. Chicken can be tender and juicy, while rice can be fluffy or sticky, depending on the cooking method. This textural interplay makes for a nice combination!
- Ease of Cooking: Both chicken and rice are relatively easy to cook and can be prepared quickly. This makes chicken and rice a go-to option for a busy Amish mom that might have 8 children, a husband, and herself to feed fast.
- Cost-Effective: A big bulk bag of rice is comparatively cheap by today's grocery standards, and if the Amish family has their own chicken, chicken and rice is a cheap - but filling- meal.
❓FAQ Chicken and Rice
Of course, this answer will vary from person to person and cook to cook, but, yes, canned soups are popular in Amish homes. Campbell's must have done a good marketing job! You'll often find these chicken and rice recipes calling for a can of soup to be added and convenience foods like canned soups really caught on among the Amish during the 1950s and 60s and are still embraced today.
This comes down to personal preference. Many of these recipes, the chicken-rice combination works so well together in flavor and texture, but hamburger-rice can be a great combination. Turkey can be used in place of chicken in almost all these recipes without changing the flavor. Feel free to experiment!
🍲 Five Favorite Amish Chicken and Rice Recipes
Famous Chicken and Rice: This recipe is found in almost every Amish cookbook! A little bit more about it: Recipes like this are actually a dime a dozen on Amish farms. But, that doesn’t make them any less delicious. To me, when I have dinner at an Amish home there’s nothing better than spooning out a heaping piling plate for this type of casserole. It’s literally got a little bit of everything in it. So that’s one common way to eat supper in an Amish home, the other way is just sort of buffet style. Food will be put out on the countertop or table top, various dishes of various things and people just go through and pile their plates. Man, it’s been a while since I’ve had dinner in an Amish home and I’ll have to partake in that soon. Check out famous chicken and rice recipe.
Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice: Ah, what is better than chicken and rice combination? A cheesy chicken and rice combination! Check out this cheesy version!
Maple Chicken and Rice: Ah, let's infuse this classic combination with the sweetness of maple. Delicious meal! Maple chicken and rice is super easy to make with basic ingredients.
Chicken with Peas and Rice: Chicken and rice dish combinations are endless and infusing some veggies into your supper is always a good idea and a great way for kids to eat them if they are all mixed in anyway. Check out chicken with peas and rice!
Chicken and Rice Soup: There's no rule that says chicken and rice has to be in a casserole. Make it a bit more liquid based and you have a super soup! Chicken and rice in a soup is nourishing and comforting and perfect when you don't want something quite as heavy as a casserole. This is a delicious chicken and rice soup!
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