Adding Health to Your Comfort Food Classics

Healthy eating can be simple, flavorful and affordable. The following videos demonstrate how to enjoy the foods you love with smart swaps, nutrient-rich ingredients and balanced portions.

Chicken, Rice and Beans

This lighter take on a classic chicken, rice, and beans dish keeps all the comforting flavors you love while boosting nutrition. By loading up your plate with colorful veggies like cabbage, pico de gallo, nopales, and avocado—plus energy‑boosting rice and fiber‑rich beans—you get a balanced, satisfying meal. Finish it off with baked or air‑fried seasoned chicken for lean, high‑quality protein.

Add ¼ cup cooked rice to your plate. Choose brown rice if you want more fiber and longer-lasting energy.

Spoon on ½ cup beans (or more, if desired). Rinse canned beans before cooking to lower sodium.

Add 3-4 ounces of baked or air-fried chicken to your plate. We seasoned ours with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and oregano.

Aim for a 1/2 plate of vegetables. Here we’ve layered chopped cabbage, steamed nopales and pico de gallo. We topped with about ⅓ of an avocado for healthy fats. Mix in other vegetables you enjoy for added nutrients and color.

Chicken, Greens and Sides

This recipe shows how to enjoy classic flavors while creating a more balanced, nutrient rich plate. By focusing on generous servings of vegetables, lean protein and mindful portions of favorite comfort foods, you can enjoy the dishes you love in a way that supports your health.

Add ½ plate of greens to your plate. Collard, mustard or turnip greens are all good choices of Calcium and Vitamin K.