Lemonchick's Dr. Pepper Rice Casserole

Lemonchick's Dr. Pepper Rice Casserole

 

     Okay, so this is a recipe which I created.  Years ago I found a recipe for rice using Dr. Pepper.  You replace all or part of the cooking water for the rice, with Dr. Pepper.  I can't remember which one of my books the recipe was in, so I couldn't use the actual recipe. I know the recipe does call for adding curry powder and since I couldn't remember the exact amount, I just used about 2 teaspoons.   You can use have water and half Dr. Pepper and you could also use Diet Dr. Pepper, to cut down the sugar.  The rice does have a sweet taste, because of the sugar in the soda. 

    I had thought about incorporating chicken into the rice to make a casserole and decided golden raisins and almonds would go well with the Dr. Pepper rice and chicken. I used a Garam Masala curry seasoning from Penzey's Spices in Dallas and I very, rarely drink soda, but I had some knock-off Dr. Pepper (a generic store brand), so I used that.  

    

Ingredients:

4 chicken thighs

1 cup rice

2 cups Dr. Pepper (or generic brand)

1 tsp or more of curry powder (use more if you like)

1/3 cup sliced almonds, blanched

1/3 cup golden raisins

    Start by cutting your chicken into small chunks.  You can use smaller pieces or larger.  This is totally your preference. Heat your pan, add a little bit of oil or cooking spray. Give it another couple minutes to heat up with the oil and then add your chicken.  Cook until there is no longer any pink showing. 

   Once you've started your chicken, go ahead and pre-heat your oven to 350 degress and make your rice. Cook your rice as you would normally, simply substitute Dr. Pepper (or generic brand) soda for water and stir in your curry powder.  I cooked mine in the  microwave (3 minutes on high and 17 minutes on 50% power). Blanch your almonds while your rice and chicken are cooking. Your chicken should be ready by the time the rice is done. Transfer your rice to a large casserole dish.  Mix in the raisins and chicken and sprinkle the blanched almonds on top. You can also transfer the rice to a large mixing bowl, add everything in there and then transfer to a casserole dish (I just wanted to eliminate one more dish to wash). Place your casserole in your oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.  

    Remove from the oven, cool slightly and serve with salad and rolls if you like.  Let me know what you think, if you try this. 

The finished product, Dr. Pepper Rice Casserole

Cook your chicken until there is no pink showing

Blanched almonds

Golden Raisins

Dr. Pepper Rice

Dr. Pepper Rice Casserole (just out of the oven)

   *I served with a salad of mixed greens with mozzarella pearls, pepper, a cranberry-pecan salad topper and croutons. I used a Maple-Bacon vinaigrette dressing.*