Mexican Chicken and Rice

Inexpensive, tasty... and a one-pot wonder! 👏

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs (or a 3-4 chicken breasts if you prefer)
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas

Instructions

1. Remove the skin from the chicken thighs, if desired (I buy skinless). In a medium size pan over medium heat, add olive oil and unsalted butter. Place the chicken in the pan and fry, about 7 min. per side. Remove chicken to a plate.
2. To the drippings, add the onion, garlic and rice. Stir and fry until light brown. Add chopped tomatoes, chicken broth, chili powder, salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
3. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil. Return the chicken to the pan; lower the heat, cover and simmer about 30 min. or until the rice is tender. Mix in the peas just before serving.

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

The title says "bars", but make no mistake, this is cake. You can make it in a jelly roll pan or two 9-inch rounds. If you like banana bread, this really takes it up a notch.

Cake:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 bananas, mashed

1. Move oven rack to the middle and preheat to 350. 

2. Mix cake batter in order given. Spray a jelly roll pan (15x11 inch) with baking spray.

3. Pour batter evenly into jelly roll pan and smooth with spatula. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool for 45 minutes before frosting.

Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

2 tsp. vanilla

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

4. Combine cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in small bowl. Slowly add powdered sugar. Mix well.

5. Spread evenly on cooled cake and chill in refrigerator before serving.

Optional: Add 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts on top 

(I don't do this because nuts ruin desserts) 😜