Childhood Green Beans and Chicken & Rice Recipes

I have to thank my grandma for this recipe. These two recipes are the most simple, but the BEST meal prepping recipes I like to make.

Whenever I make these dishes, I can’t help but feel nostalgic every time. All of my childhood memories with these meals are filled with Sunday lunches at my grandma’s house, and her teaching me how to make her recipes. My family is Lebanese, and some people like to guard their recipes with their life, and take them to the grave. Now, whenever I make her recipes, I snap a photo and send it to her to let her know I am thinking of her. 

I am so grateful that I was able to learn from the best, and I can’t wait to share these recipes with you!

Today, I am going to teach you my grandma’s green beans and chicken and rice recipes.

(At the bottom of this blog, I will share the full grocery list.)

Chicken and Rice Recipe

First, I am going to teach you the chicken and rice recipe. Both of these are very simple, but delicious nonetheless.

This dish gives you about eight servings, and is about ~360 calories, and 30 grams of protein! 

Ingredients:

• 1 rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup of Uncle Ben’s long grain rice (boxed, not instant)
• 3/4 lb ground beef 
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth
• 2 packs of pine nuts
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cinnamon (it’s random but trust me this is the best part)

Step 1: Cook Beef & Pine Nuts

First you will take out a pot, setting it on medium/low. Throw in your beef, pine nuts, and seasonings (do not add too much! You can always add more later), breaking apart your beef, browning them both at the same time unti the beef is fully cooked. 

Now is the time to taste test and see if you should add more salt, pepper, and cinnamon.

Step 2: Add Rice & Broth

Next, you add one cup of your rice, mixing it all together. 

Add in 2 ½ cups of chicken broth.

You will put a lid on your mixture and let it sit for about 20 minutes, or until all of the chicken broth has been absorbed and the rice has been cooked.

Step 3: Debone & Mix In Chicken

During this time, you will debone your entire chicken, and mix it in when the 20 minutes (or broth is absorbed and rice is cooked) is complete. Now, you will turn the burner off and let it all sit for 5-10 minutes to cool.

Once again, season to your taste preference.

Enjoy!

I like the simple chicken and rice recipe because it’s good for before a workout, and it is very filling. However, in every meal, I try to get a good mix of protein and vegetables, which is why I like to pair it with the green beans recipe. They taste very well together, and have similar serving sizes. 

Green Beans Recipe

This recipe will give you eight servings, with around 240 calories and 17 grams of protein per serving.

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/4 lb ground beef
• Large bag of Frozen green beans (not French style.)
• 1 8oz can of tomato sauce (small) 
• 1 8oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• 1 large yellow onion
• Salt, pepper, cinnamon

Step 1: Dice, Chop, and Brown

First, dice your onion and chop your garlic gloves.

In a pot on low/medium heat, brown your beef, onion, and garlic all together until the beef is completely cooked. Then, season and taste to your liking.

Step 2: Add in your Beans and Tomatoes

Add your green beans, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Also add about 4oz of water, and mix everything together.

Add the lid to your pot and cook on low for 40 minutes (or until the water evaporates). Stir occasionally so the bottom of the pan does not burn (I have made this mistake a few times).

Step 3: Season and Enjoy!

Finally, taste test and add more salt, pepper, or cinnamon if you’d like.

Now, you’re done! You have a nutritious, delicious, simple, and high-protein meal that will last you all week! If you try these recipes, tag me on social media and let me know! I hope you enjoy them as much as I always do.

Here is the complete grocery list:

• 2lbs ground beef
• 1 rotisserie chicken
• 1 large yellow onion
• Large bag of Frozen green beans (not French style.)
• 1 8oz can of tomato sauce (small) 
• 1 8oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• 1 box of Uncle Ben’s long grain rice (boxed, not instant)
• 1 box of chicken broth
• 2 packs of pine nuts
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cinnamon 

Make sure to check out my last blog: Kitchen MVPs, where I share my favorite kitchen tools and hacks!

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