Aroma Professional Plus: Perfect For Chicken?

Aroma's rice cookers are a convenient way to cook chicken, steaming meats, fish, and vegetables while preparing rice. The cooker can keep moist heat, making it suitable for cooking chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be placed in the cooker with seasoning and butter, topped with water or chicken stock, and cooked for 45 minutes. Chicken can also be steamed in the cooker for about an hour, resulting in tender meat. The cooker's ability to maintain heat and steam helps ensure even cooking and can be used to cook chicken thighs, resulting in evenly cooked meat at a relatively fast speed.

Chicken breasts are a healthy alternative to red meat

Chicken breasts are a lean, protein-rich food that can be a healthy alternative to red meat. They are a good source of micronutrients, including choline, vitamin B12, thiamin, vitamin B6, zinc and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).

Chicken breasts are also lower in saturated fat than red meat, which can be beneficial for heart health. Evidence suggests that eating fresh lean white meat may have a positive impact on cardiometabolic risk factors. A 2021 review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that a high intake of poultry does not adversely affect cardiovascular disease risk.

In addition, a 2019 cohort study published in the European Journal of Nutrition showed that replacing processed red meat with poultry is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. This is partly due to the lower levels of saturated fat in chicken compared to red meat.

Chicken breasts are also a good option for weight management as they are a lean source of protein, which can help increase satiety and support weight loss.

However, it is important to note that the way meat is prepared and cooked can also impact its health benefits. Grilling, broiling and baking are recommended methods to keep the fat content low.

While chicken breasts can be a healthier alternative to red meat in some aspects, they may not be superior in all areas. For example, red meat is a good source of iron, which is essential for the immune system, cognitive functions and brain development.

In conclusion, chicken breasts can be a healthy alternative to red meat, especially for those looking to reduce their saturated fat intake and manage their weight. However, it is important to include a variety of foods in a well-balanced diet to ensure adequate nutrient intake.

You can steam chicken in an Aroma cooker

Yes, you can steam chicken in an Aroma cooker. In fact, Aroma's rice cookers have been designed to cook rice to perfection, but they can also steam meats, fish, and vegetables.

To steam chicken in an Aroma cooker, follow these steps:

Clean your Aroma cooker

Firstly, make sure your cooker is clean. You can wash the pot and inner accessories in the top rack of your dishwasher, or soak them in hot water and then wipe them clean with a damp cloth.

Measure your rice and chicken

Next, measure the rice and chicken according to your needs. If you're cooking rice, use the lines on the inside of the pot to find the correct water-to-rice ratio. Do not add the water first; add the rice, then the water. If you're steaming chicken alone, use 2.5 cups of water and the same amount of chicken, which will take 30 minutes to steam at the recommended temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add water and rice to the inner pan

Add some water to the inner pan, then put the rice in it.

Place the chicken on the steaming tray

Now, place your chicken on the tray used for steaming. If you're cooking white rice, hit the white rice button. If you're steaming chicken alone, hit the steam button and set it to 30 minutes.

Wait for your food to cook

After approximately 30 minutes, your food should be ready. You'll know the chicken is steamed when the cooker starts beeping. If the chicken isn't fully steamed, add another 5 to 10 minutes of cooking time.

Read the guidelines

Make sure to read the safety guidelines in the manual provided with your Aroma cooker before steaming chicken.

Chicken can be cooked alongside rice

Yes, you can use an Aroma Professional Plus to cook chicken. The rice cooker can steam meats, and you can even cook a whole meal in the cooker.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 heaping cup shredded or chopped carrots (from 1 cup baby carrots or 2 large carrots)
• Homemade seasoned salt and pepper (see notes)
• 2 scant cups long-grain white rice (Lundberg White Jasmine Rice recommended)
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 2 small chicken breasts (14oz), cut into bite-sized pieces

Instructions:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.
• Add carrots, season with seasoned salt and pepper, then cook until tender (5-6 minutes).
• Add rice, dried onions, and dried garlic. Stir to coat in butter and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add dried parsley and chicken stock, then turn the heat up to high and bring to a boil.
• Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Season chicken with seasoned salt and pepper, then add to the pot. Continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through and rice is al dente (7-10 minutes).
• Place a lid on top of the pot, then remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Stir in 2-4 tablespoons of butter, then taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Chicken and rice is a comforting, family-friendly meal that can be easily made in one pot.

Chicken can be cooked with vegetables

Yes, you can use an Aroma Professional Plus rice cooker to cook chicken. The cooker can steam meats, and you can also use it to cook chicken stews and soups.

When cooking chicken and vegetables together, it's important to practice safe food handling. Raw chicken can contain pathogens like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli, so it's important to avoid cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards, bowls, and knives for raw chicken and vegetables, and wash your hands after handling raw poultry.

• Use dense vegetables that are suitable for caramelization in the oven's dry heat, such as green beans, whole carrots, and baby red potatoes.
• Cut the vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan to allow for even browning.
• Turn the pan halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
• If using an oven, preheat it to 425°F.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is cooked thoroughly.

Chicken can be cooked with rice and vegetables at the same time

Yes, you can use an Aroma Professional Plus rice cooker to cook chicken. The cooker can steam meats, and because it can keep in moist heat, it's suitable for cooking chicken.

You can cook chicken and rice at the same time. Here's a recipe for chicken, rice, and vegetables that you can cook in an Aroma Professional Plus:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
• 2 large carrots, cut into small cubes
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh parsley for serving

Method:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Cook the onions until soft and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add the cubed chicken and season with oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook until the chicken is done, about 5-7 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook with the chicken for about 1-2 minutes.
• Add the vegetables (carrots, corn, and peas) and season with salt and pepper.
• Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked.
• Remove from the heat and let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes to continue cooking the rice with the residual steam.
• Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in the Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

You can also cook chicken and rice with other vegetables, like broccoli, zucchini, spinach, bell peppers, or peas and carrots.

Frequently asked questions