Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice dish that blends tender chicken with perfectly seasoned rice. Savory layers of flavor create a satisfying meal that brings warmth and joy to your dinner table, ensuring you’ll crave this classic comfort recipe again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 5 bone-in chicken thigh fillets
Starches:
- 1 1/2 cups (270g) uncooked white rice
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 large garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper (to taste)
Liquids:
- 1 1/2 cups (375ml) hot chicken broth/stock
- 1 1/4 cups (315ml) hot water
Finishing Touches:
- Oil spray
- Fresh thyme leaves or finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F, preparing a spacious baking dish for a comforting one-pan meal.
- Distribute finely chopped onions and minced garlic across the dish, placing butter in the center. Roast for 12-15 minutes until aromatics become translucent and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Craft a robust seasoning blend and generously coat both sides of the chicken thighs, ensuring complete coverage.
- Integrate uncooked rice into the softened onion and garlic mixture, creating a flavorful base.
- Carefully position seasoned chicken atop the rice, then gently pour hot chicken broth and water around the meat, maintaining the chicken’s seasoned surface.
- Seal the dish completely with aluminum foil, allowing the ingredients to steam and meld together during a 30-minute baking cycle.
- Uncover the dish, lightly mist chicken with cooking spray for enhanced golden color, and continue baking 20 minutes until rice absorbs liquid and chicken develops a crisp exterior.
- Allow the dish to rest 5 minutes, enabling flavors to settle. Gently separate rice with a fork and transfer chicken to serving plates.
- Optional: Enhance the meal with a quick homemade gravy or fresh herb garnish like parsley or thyme for an elevated culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent rice from burning by ensuring the onion and butter mixture is evenly spread before adding rice.
- Use a heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a tight seal, trapping moisture and helping rice cook perfectly.
- Swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts or drumsticks, adjusting cooking time to prevent drying out.
- For gluten-free option, verify all seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free and replace regular broth with gluten-free alternative.
- Create a healthier version by using olive oil instead of butter and choosing low-sodium chicken broth.
- Boost protein content by adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms alongside rice during initial baking stage.
- Enhance flavor complexity by experimenting with different herb combinations like rosemary, sage, or za’atar spice blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 62-65 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 384 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 387 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 84 mg