A Nice Night to Eat Outside......

It was so nice today after I got home from work that I almost hated to be inside making dinner.  I have the usual chores when I get home everyday.  Wash the coffee pot, do a few loads of laundry, make the beds, do homework with the Boys, blah, blah....

So after I got my firstborn son off to swimming I got down to the business of making dinner.  I wanted to get back outside so I wanted it to be quick.  I made a menu for the week so I had these ingredients on hand.  It may sound odd but it only takes a few minutes once a week to decide what you are having for dinner and make a grocery list.  I try to do this every week and it really helps.

Back to dinner.....

I made a chicken dish and it couldn't have been more easy.  I had this made in 40 minutes.  The actual prep was 7 minutes but it took a while for the long grain brown Basmati rice to cook.  Trim this time down by using an instant rice. I just had this so it is what I used.  The best part is this meal is satisfying, healthy and easy to separate if your picky child doesn't want the peppers :)  You can cook the main part of this in 1 skillet minimizing mess!

Sauteed Chicken with Coconut Rice

1 C long grain white or brown rice
1 14 oz can of coconut milk ($1.63 at Meijer)
olive oil
1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless, sliced into strips
1 large red pepper, sliced
1 large clove garlic, sliced
1 can low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp cumin

Cook the rice according to package directions but substitute 1 cup of the water for coconut milk.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan and cook the chicken until done.  Don't forget to sprinkle as much salt and pepper as you need.

move the chicken to one side of the pan and add the red pepper.  Saute for 2 minutes on medium low heat.  You want it to stay crisp.
Add the garlic and saute another minute.
Pour the cooked rice into a serving dish and pour the chicken mix on top.

Add the black beans to the same skillet.  Add the cumin and stir.  Heat through and add to the side of the chicken and rice.
That's it!