Hobo Chicken Bama-style

Hobo Chicken Bama-style Recipe | American classic stew with baked beans and rice

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Hobo Chicken Bama-style is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual get-together with friends. This recipe combines tender chicken, flavorful baked beans, and savory mushrooms for a satisfying meal that is sure to please everyone at the table.

History

Hobo Chicken Bama-style is a classic Southern dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It gets its name from the tradition of cooking simple and delicious meals over an open fire while on the go. This recipe has been passed down through families in Alabama and has become a staple in many households.

Ingredients

1.5 lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
0.13 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp chili powder
2 x 15 oz (425 g) cans baked beans
1 tomato, peeled and quartered, then quartered again
1 loaf garlic or BBQ bread, buttered and toasted
0.5 stick margarine (I use butter)
1 small can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
3 cups of cooked rice

How to prepare

Cube the chicken and sprinkle it with garlic salt and chili powder.
Heat a pan and add oil.
Add the spiced chicken to the hot pan.
Brown the chicken and drain excess fat.
Add cans of beans, mushrooms, and quartered tomato.
Simmer uncovered for 2 – 3 minutes.
Cover and simmer for 3 minutes.
Cook the rice and remove the pan from heat.
Butter the bread and toast it in the oven. Serve it over rice with buttered bread and coleslaw.

Variations

You can customize this recipe to suit your taste by adding your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, or corn. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as cumin, paprika, or oregano, to create a unique flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To ensure that your hobo chicken turns out perfectly every time, be sure to cube the chicken evenly and season it well with garlic salt and chili powder. Browning the chicken before adding the other ingredients will help to lock in the flavors and create a delicious caramelized crust. Be sure to simmer the dish covered to allow the flavors to meld together and create a rich and savory sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Hobo Chicken Bama-style is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of coleslaw or a green salad for a complete meal. You can also pair it with cornbread or biscuits for a classic Southern touch.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making delicious Hobo Chicken Bama-style is to brown the chicken before adding the other ingredients. This will help to lock in the flavors and create a delicious caramelized crust. Be sure to simmer the dish covered to allow the flavors to meld together and create a rich and savory sauce.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have chicken breasts on hand, you can use chicken thighs or drumsticks instead. You can also substitute the baked beans with black beans or kidney beans for a different flavor. Feel free to get creative and make this recipe your own!

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook. This will help to save time and make meal prep easier. You can also freeze any leftovers for a quick and easy meal later on.

Presentation Ideas

To make your Hobo Chicken Bama-style look even more appetizing, you can garnish it with fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro. You can also serve it in individual bowls or on a platter for a rustic and inviting presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Hobo Chicken Bama-style pairs well with a variety of side dishes, such as cornbread, biscuits, or a green salad. You can also serve it with a glass of sweet tea or lemonade for a classic Southern meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

You can store any leftovers of Hobo Chicken Bama-style in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave the dish until heated through, or heat it in a pan on the stove.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Hobo Chicken Bama-style contains approximately 400 calories. This makes it a satisfying and filling meal that is perfect for a hearty dinner.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Hobo Chicken Bama-style contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates. The majority of these carbohydrates come from the baked beans, rice, and bread in the dish.

Fats

Each serving of Hobo Chicken Bama-style contains approximately 12 grams of fat. The fat content primarily comes from the olive oil used to cook the chicken and the butter used to toast the bread.

Proteins

Each serving of Hobo Chicken Bama-style contains approximately 30 grams of protein. The protein in this dish comes from the chicken breasts and the mushrooms, making it a satisfying and filling meal.

Vitamins and minerals

Hobo Chicken Bama-style is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C from the tomatoes and mushrooms, and iron from the chicken and beans. The dish also contains a variety of other essential nutrients, such as potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

Alergens

This recipe contains wheat from the bread and soy from the baked beans. It may also contain dairy allergens from the butter used in the dish. Be sure to check for any specific allergens before preparing this recipe.

Summary

Overall, Hobo Chicken Bama-style is a well-rounded and nutritious meal that provides a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is a satisfying and delicious dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual get-together with friends.

Summary

Hobo Chicken Bama-style is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual get-together with friends. This classic Southern recipe is easy to make and full of flavor, making it a favorite in many households. Enjoy this satisfying meal with your loved ones and savor the rich and savory flavors of this timeless dish.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the thrill of stumbling upon this recipe for Hobo Chicken Bama-style. It was many years ago, back when I was just a young girl living in the small town of Montgomery, Alabama. My grandmother, who was an excellent cook herself, had passed down many recipes to me over the years. But this one was different. It had a special story behind it, one that has stayed with me all these years.

It all started one hot summer day when I was helping out at the local community center. They were hosting a charity event to raise money for the less fortunate in our town. As a young girl, I was eager to lend a helping hand wherever I could. Little did I know that this event would change my life forever.

As the day went on, I found myself drawn to the group of homeless men who had gathered around a makeshift fire pit in the corner of the center's backyard. They were cooking up a simple meal of chicken and vegetables in tin foil packets over the open flame. The aroma wafting through the air was intoxicating, and I couldn't resist wandering over to see what they were up to.

One of the men, a kind-hearted soul named Hank, noticed me watching and invited me to join them. He explained that they were making what they called "Hobo Chicken," a dish that had been passed down from generation to generation among the homeless community. It was a simple yet delicious meal that required nothing more than a few basic ingredients and a fire to cook it over.

I was fascinated by the camaraderie and sense of community among these men, despite their difficult circumstances. They welcomed me with open arms and showed me how to prepare the Hobo Chicken, layering chicken breasts, potatoes, carrots, and onions in tin foil with a generous drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs and spices.

As we sat around the fire, waiting for our meal to cook, the men shared their stories with me. They spoke of their struggles and hardships, but also of the moments of joy and camaraderie they found in their tight-knit community. I was moved by their resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

When the Hobo Chicken was finally ready, we all gathered around the fire and dug into our meal with gusto. The flavors were simple yet comforting, the perfect blend of savory and sweet. I savored every bite, feeling grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with such wonderful people.

After the meal, Hank presented me with a handwritten recipe for the Hobo Chicken, a gift that I will always cherish. He told me that food has a way of bringing people together, no matter their circumstances. It was a lesson that stayed with me throughout my life, shaping my love for cooking and sharing meals with others.

Over the years, I have made the Hobo Chicken Bama-style countless times, each time with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the men who taught me the recipe. It has become a staple in my own kitchen, a reminder of the power of food to nourish not only our bodies but also our souls.

So, whenever I make the Hobo Chicken Bama-style, I think back to that hot summer day at the community center, surrounded by a group of kind-hearted strangers who welcomed me with open arms. And I am reminded of the simple yet profound joy that comes from sharing a meal with others, no matter where life may take us.