Why I Created a Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon Without Chicken (Plus My Favorite 30-Minute Chicken & Rice Recipe)

 

I wanted to create a plant-based chicken bouillon that could make an everyday meal taste like it took all day to cook, even if it only took 30 minutes. My Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon is the brainchild of that desire. Some bouillons use dehydrated meat for flavor, but I'm allergic to chicken, so I knew my blend had to be vegan and vegetarian friendly but still have amazing flavor. So I thought about what ingredients I could combine to make a bouillon not just good, but worth a billion dollars. 

My Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon, like every other blend, is hand crafted  and versatile with amazing  concentrated flavor without any added colors, flavors, or preservatives. It's made with nutritional yeast, kosher salt, a proprietary pepper blend, and  a beautiful blend of herbs and spices. It's not too salty, so feel free to add it to salt free cooking lifestyles unless your doctor says absolutely no salt. But it works well in soups, stews, veggies, casseroles, and breading. It's really an amazing blend. 

Now, like I said, I'm allergic to chicken and also rice, but before I got that diagnosis, this was one of my favorite meals to make in a pinch. It served me well in undergrad and as a busy caregiver.  It's my Billion Dollar Chicken and Rice. Let's cook it!

 

What you'll need:

• 1.5 pounds of boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 
• 2 Tablespoons of olive or avocado oil
  
• 1 Tablespoon of butter
• 1 cup of long-grain white rice (I use parboiled rice, but that's not a requirement)
• 2 cups of water
• 2 Tablespoons of Mrs. Root's Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon
  
• 1 Tablespoon  of Mrs. Root's Savory Salt-Free Garlic and Herb
  
• .5 teaspoon of garlic powder (optional)
• .5 teaspoon of onion powder (also optional)
  
• 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots (sometimes I add fresh spinach at the end or frozen broccoli. It depended on what vegetables I am trying to get my niece to try)

How to make it:

1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium -high heat. (Make sure your chicken is ready because it won't take long for the butter to melt in the olive oil and you don't want any of it to burn).

2. Add the chicken pieces and cook them until lightly browned, which should be about 5-7 minutes.

3. Stir in the rice and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the rice to toast just a bit.

4. Add the water and stir in the Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon and Savory Salt-Free Garlic and Herb until dissolved. 

5. Bring ingredients to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes ( I use a timer, but you don't have to).

6. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, add your veggies to the skillet. 

7. Once the 18-20 minutes are over, fluff the rice with a fork and serve. 

This one pan meal is budget-friendly, takes less than 30 minutes from prep to table, will satisfy the pickiest of pallets,  and by using two blends together, you get that all day rich and savory flavor without having to stand over a hot stove. 

Substitutions for Vegetarians and Vegans:

You can absolutely use tofu, king oyster, or portobello mushrooms as a substitute for the meat here. Pro tip if you do; toss your protein in the bouillon before you add it to the oil, or do what I do, marinate your tofu in the bouillon for as long as you can stand it, and then sauté it. Proceed with the recipe as given. You won't regret it.

Frequently Asked Questions about Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon:

Is Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon made with chicken?

No. Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon was created to give the same savory flavor people know and love from a traditional chicken bouillon with a vegan and vegetarian friendly recipe. 

How do I use Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon?

You can add this blend to any recipe that needs a rich, savory flavor. I mainly use it in soups, rice, vegetables, casseroles, sauces, and potatoes. But don't limit yourself to those. 

How much Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon should I use?

 You can start with one tablespoon for every 2 cups of liquid and adjust from there according to your tastes and the recipe you're making. 

 Can Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon replace chicken broth?

Yes. You can mix Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon with water to create a really flavorful broth, or if you're already cooking something with liquid involved, add it directly to your dish. 

 Is Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon spicy?

No. This is not a spicy blend. It's designed to be savory and herbaceous. 

Is Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon salt-free?

No. Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon contains kosher salt. So I wouldn't advise using it if you're on a strict salt-free diet. But you can still make the recipe with Juke's Salt-Free All Purpose Blend and the Savory Salt-Free Garlic and Herb blend. 

How should I store this blend?

Billion Dollar Chicken Bouillon should be stored in a cool, dry space with the bag tightly closed to preserve its freshness. You can also store it in a mason jar or spice jar as long as you keep the lid tight. 

I'm vegan, can I still cook with this blend? 

Yes. And the umami it adds to vegetables will make it one of your new favorite blends. 

What other ways can I use this blend?

Be sure to explore more recipes here on Mrs. Root’s Kitchen, and don’t forget to browse the full collection of handcrafted blends from Mrs. Root’s Spice Salon for even more flavor inspiration.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Ultimate Skillet Potatoes with Grandma Kittie Mae’s House Blend (coming soon)
• Southern Green Beans with Juke’s All Purpose Blend (coming soon)
• Mrs. Root's Spatchcocked  Herb Roasted Chicken with Savory Salt-Free Garlic & Herb (coming soon)