Mexican Chicken and Rice
This may be one of the worst food photos I've ever taken, however, this gluten free, grain free chicken and "rice" dish is packed with protein and spicy Mexican flavor. It's not so easy to take pictures of brown stuff; I could say more, however, I won't go on; let's just leave it at that.
Since I don't eat grains, this faux rice is a real treat for me. My husband liked it too.
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup celery, finely diced
1 head cauliflower, trimmed
1 (4 ounce) can green chilies, diced
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, grilled and diced into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
ground cumin, oregano and chili powder to taste
1 avocado
grated cheese, if desired
salsa, if desired
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat
- Saute onion over medium heat for 10 minutes, until soft
- Add celery to skillet and saute for 5 minutes
- Place cauliflower in a food processor with the "S" blade and process until the texture of rice
- Add cauliflower to skillet, cover and cook 5-10 minutes, until soft
- Mix chilies and chicken into skillet
- Stir in salt, cumin, oregano and chili powder
- Serve, topping with avocado, cheese and salsa if desired
The idea for this Mexican Chicken and Rice came off of a low carb yahoo group in which I participate. That recipe was shared by a user named "glassmurf." Her version used frozen cauliflower, 6 chicken breasts, plus cheese and tomato sauce, so as you can see, I took her basic idea and "Elanafied" it into something that would work for me and my family. Thank you glassmurf for your excellent inspiration.
And now... for the winner of the 5lb bag of Honeyville blanched almond flour. That would be Sharon --congratulations!
Posted on July 17, 2009 in entrees by Elana
other entries you may like: Chicken with Cherries and Kale
or Green Chili Turkey Burgers
or Chicken Piccata
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Before you leave a comment...
"Check out Elana's FAQ page for info on substitutions -- there are just too many possibilities so she can't answer all of these : ) But the Forums are an excellent resource and I highly recommend posting your substitution questions there; everyone is friendly and helpful." -Katie
Cauli-rice is delicious and so versatile. I can't wait to try your version of it! It also works quite well marinated overnight in a dressing tossed with other veggies, very easy to pack and take along when traveling. Thanks for the simple and delicious dinner inspiration! Have a nice weekend Elana :-)
Bake up lots of chocolate chip cookies Sharon!
The picture still looks as yummy as always :)
Nice recipe... never tried Cauli-rice.... that is totally new to me. I usually cheat for the regular stuff if I want Asian foods (just can't eat them without rice), now I have a real alternative.
Congrats Sharon, that is a nice score.
Oh the picture is perfect, and I have also made "cauli-mashed potatoes", from a tip I read in one of Suzanne Somers books. You really can't tell the difference...you just process the cauliflower to the consistency of mashed potatoes, and there you have it.
I laughed @ "Elanafied", that was cute!
Wow...that is really a cool idea. Sounds great!
The pic is fine, nice DOF, even got some bokeh in there. I'm vegan so I will have to just enjoy your photography this time :)
I bet it would be good with some additional veggies or maybe tofu in place of the chicken??
This recipe sounds fantastic! Perfect for GF as well as low carb-ers. I can't wait to try it -- and I am a cauliflower hater.
I use the grating disc in my food processor to grate raw cauliflower, then cook it as I would rice in whatever dish I am preparing. The grating disc makes all the pieces the same size, plus I don't have to keep watch on the 'S' blade's progress.
I love mexican food so this will be a great treat for me and my family. I also like cooking with celery because it is so healthy. Thanks Elana.
I know what I am making for dinner tomorrow night. Maybe even lunch. Thanks for another wonderful meal creation!
Sounds delicious, I have to try it. Thanks again Elana for a wonderful meal creation!
Thanks for this recipe! I've had a bag of cauliflower in the freezer for a long time (bought it when I thought we really needed to eat some cauliflower even though non of us likes it). Anyway, cooked this up tonight and we all (inc. 3 & 5 year olds) really liked this dish! I didn't have any green chilis on hand, but used Badia cajun seasoning for the chicken and used salt and pepper to season the whole dish. Yummy!
Sounds wonderful. I keep forgetting about that "cauli-rice." It's been on my to-try list for ages.
within the last 2 or so months a broccoli recipe was featured. This recipe was a link to another website. The recipe required that the broccoli was shredded... does anyone remember the site?
I just love your food, and I love the pictures you take.
I was just wondering how you learned how to take such great pictures. What kind of camera and software do you use?
Thanks!!
I was wondering why you avoid grain but eat heavy starches like Arrowroot? I stay away from both but was wondering your reasoning? Thanks
I've been meaning to try cauli-rice but kept forgetting. Thanks to your post, I picked up a head of cauliflower at the farmers' market this weekend and have added a "rice" dish to this week's menu.
I just wanted to say how Thrilled I am to have found your website! The mexican "rice" dish is absolutely fabulous!!! Even my husband, who is super picky about what he eats has enjoyed it. We have made it two nights in a row! Thank you!!! :-)
Hmm...You say it is a bad photo, and yet it really piqued my appetite! I look forward to trying this.
I made this tonight but didn't use chicken, I used Seitan flavored chicken instead as my hubby won't eat meat. I have to say the cauliflower was the queen in this dish, it came though nicely and my hubby said "this isn't rice?" He didn't believe it. I told him it's cauliflower. He was pleased because he has issues with digesting starch. Thanks for introducing us to this, we can sub it in other recipes too.
Elana, I am just curious if you can eat quinoa or buckwheat since they aren't technically grains?
This is the first recipe I've made from Elana, I made it last night and it was AMAZING, I can't believe how much the cauliflower mimics rice! So easy and delicious. This is definitely a recipe I will be making often! Thanks Elana!
This was dinner tonight. Dinner got 6 out of 5 stars! Yes that is possible!! Both my husband and I agreed on this rating.
I haven't been missing grain at all since cutting it out, but this dish made me feel so indulgent! The texture is quite similar to rice and the flavor is delicious! We were "mmm-ing" and "yumm-ing" all through the meal. I didn't have celery so subbed a diced zucchini, used a fresh chili, both those subs worked out fine. I added blops of guacamole on top as well. We will be eating this one often! xoxo :-)
We just finished this dish. I had a friend over for dinner and she loved it. It was a huge hit and I feel great after eating it. Thank you!
Wow! This was incredible. My husband and I both really enjoyed this. Next time I may add cilantro, stuff it in a roasted poblano pepper and melt cheese on my husband's or put on a little Mexican crema to top it off for a variation. Thanks Elana for another great recipe!