Cafe Rio Style at Home

Cafe Rio Dressing

1 Original Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing packet (make per recipe)

2 tomatillos 

½ bunch of cilantro

1 clove garlic

Juice of 1 lime

1 jalapeño (Use the seeds too if you like it spicy. You could substitute a few drops of green Tabasco for the jalapeno.)

Use a food processor to blend all the ingredients well. Refrigerate.

Cafe Rio Chicken

1 small (8 oz.) bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

1 T chili powder

1 T cumin

3 cloves garlic-minced

5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a Crockpot for 4 hours on medium heat, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.

Cafe Rio Rice

4 c water

4 t chicken bouillon

4 t garlic -minced

½ bunch cilantro

1 can green chilies-or equivalent fresh

¾ t salt

1 T butter

½ onion

2 c rice

Blend cilantro, green chilies and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

Cafe Rio Black Beans

1 can black beans

1/3 c tomato juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 t cumin

2 T oil

1/2 t salt

2 T chopped cilantro

Heat oil, cumin, and garlic. Throw in the rest until warm.

Cafe Rio Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 recipe Cafe Rio Chicken (see above)

1 large onion, chopped  

6 cloves garlic, minced

4 cans chicken broth

15-oz. diced tomatoes

2 jalapeno peppers 

1/4 c fresh lime juice (3-4 limes)

1 t salt

1/4 t black pepper

Toppings:

Tortilla chips

Sliced avocado or guacamole

Pico de gallo

Shredded cheese

Fresh cilantro

In a medium pan heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and minced jalapeno and cook a few minutes more until pepper is softened and garlic is fragrant.

In a Crockpot add the chicken broth and canned tomatoes, once the onions are done add them to the Crockpot. 

Cook on high until warm, serve with Café Rio shredded chicken and the toppings next to the broth.