Pinterest Slow Cooker 7up Chicken and Rice

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I am always looking for a simple dinner recipe to make and a crock pot one is even better.  I'm really not much of a cook, that's my husband's department.  I like to bake, decorate cakes and cupcakes, you know-all the real fatty stuff!  But his long hours have left me and the kiddos eating way to many sandwiches and Chef Boy Are Dee so I had to have an intervention.

Bring in to play this wonderful website called Pinterest.  Love.Me.Some.Pinterest.  I have found many craft items to try out, but some of the recipes lately have had my attention.  One in particular is this Slow Cooker 7up Chicken and rice.  I used to make a similar version, only instead of a crock pot I actually browned the meat in the skillet, removed it and then added my cream of chicken, milk/water and rice (and it says best is Minute Rice).  I HATE to "brown" or fry anything.  I can't stand that grease popping, scares me to death!  This looked so easy and so yummy that I had to give it a try.

Easy Peasy.

All you do is turn a crock pot to low, add your chicken, cream of chicken and 7up or Sprite (I used Sprite).  Cook on low for 2-3 hours, then add 1/4 cup of chicken broth and a cup of rice and continue on low for 2-3 hours.

First, when I added my soup, chicken and Sprite I noticed the chicken wasn't quite covered so I added a little water so it would all be submerged.  This was about 11am.  Second, I didn't have any chicken broth, so (upon instruction from a relative) I added 1/4 cup of water and a chicken bouillon cube.  I also added my rice, all at about 2pm.

About an hour after I put in the rice I went to check on things.  Finally the brew was bubbling but it looked like I had too much rice and it was going to dry out.  So I added about a cup of water.  Half an hour later I check, and it's so soupy I don't think there's enough rice, so I add half a cup more.

Time goes by and I think all is well.  Typically with a crock pot you can let things simmer on low and there is no harm done.  It's about 8:30 that night when I am finally ready to eat.  I start spooning the hot mixture out, chicken so tender it is falling apart and a delicious aroma.  I taste, add a little salt, and start to dig in.

Blah!

There is no taste.  The rice has cooked until it is absolute mush.  I dumped my bowl back in the crock pot and reheated spaghetti from the night before, then called my husband at work to deliver the bad news.  He was laughing so hard at me.  Not because I ruined dinner, but out of my pure disgust of what I had made.  When he got home he tried it, said it wasn't as bad as I thought it was and ate a large bowl full.  I think he was just starving and trying to spare my feelings because when I got up this morning the crock pot was right where I left it: unplugged and full of mush.

At least the outdoor cats will have a "tasty" dinner tonight!

Here are a few things I learned that might make a difference next time:

• This recipe says it is for the crock pot, but when you actually go to the blog site she has used a Bean Pot from Celebrating Home.
• Never substitute chicken broth for chicken bouillon cubes.
• Add salt while cooking.
• When using Minute Rice, look at the package directions.  Boil water, remove from heat and add rice, cover and sit for FIVE MINUTES.  I'm thinking not to put in the rice until the last 15-30 minutes.  The mixture is not boiling so it may take a tiny bit longer than 5 minutes, but I don't think it needs to sit in there for 2-3 hours.  Or just use regular rice.
• Next time I might not use Sprite or 7up.  What I did when I cooked mine on the stove was 1 can of cream of chicken and 1 can of cream of celery, half a cup of water and half a cup of canned milk.  I just don't know about the milk in the crock pot.

Sometimes we try and succeed and sometimes we try and fail.  This my friends, was a FAIL.  What about you?  Have you tried this recipe and had success?  Have you tried any other Pinterest recipes and had them fail?  Please tell me I am not alone!

Check back tomorrow for a Pattern Review Wednesday!  Until then...

G'Nite!

Amy~The Dixie Diva