Hi friends!
If you’re looking for a super simple meal that tastes delicious and only needs one pot, this One Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is perfect. It’s great for busy days when you don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking or cleaning. Plus, it’s packed with protein and made with ingredients you probably already have at home!
👩🍳 Method
Season the Chicken:
First, let’s get the chicken ready! In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, oregano, lemon zest, and some salt. This will be your tasty spice mix. Take the chicken thighs and rub the seasoning all over them. Make sure every part of the chicken is coated really well so you get flavor in every bite. You can use your hands or a spoon to help spread the spices evenly.
Cook the Base:
Next, take your oven-proof casserole dish or Dutch oven and place it on the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Once the butter is melted, add the chopped onion and garlic. Stir everything around and let it cook for about 2 minutes. This step helps bring out the yummy smell and flavor of the garlic and onion it’s the perfect start to this dish.
Add Rice & Chicken:
Now it’s time to add the rice. Pour the rice into the dish and use a spoon to spread it evenly across the bottom. This helps the rice cook evenly later. Once the rice is in, carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs right on top of the rice. Then sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top. Finally, pour in your mix of stock and water, making sure it covers everything well.
Bake It:
Carefully cover the dish with a lid. This helps trap the heat and steam so the rice cooks nicely. Place the dish in a preheated oven at 180°C (or 350°F). Let it bake for 30 minutes. Don’t peek during this time it needs the steam to stay in!
Finish It Off:
After 30 minutes, take off the lid and let it cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. This extra time helps the top get a little golden and makes sure the rice is fully cooked. Check if the rice looks soft and fluffy if it still feels a bit hard, you can add a splash of hot water and bake it a little longer.
Serve:
When it’s done, take it out of the oven (use oven mitts it’s hot!). Use a fork to gently fluff the rice so it isn’t clumpy. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the top for an extra burst of flavor. Serve it warm, and enjoy your cozy one-pot meal!
🛠️ Necessary Tools
- Oven-proof casserole dish or Dutch oven with a lid
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Fork for fluffing rice
🥘 One Pot Chicken and Rice; Easy, Tasty, and Filling!
Cuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Easy3
servings10
minutes40
minutes50
minutesIngredients
Main Ingredients
320g chicken thighs (about 4–5 pieces)
150g rice (white or brown rice works!)
350ml stock + water (chicken or veggie stock)
1 yellow onion (chopped)
1 clove garlic (chopped)
1 tbsp butter
Handful of parsley (chopped)
Chicken Spice Mix
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp lemon zest
Salt to taste
Directions
- Season the Chicken: Mix the paprika, garlic powder, oregano, lemon zest, and salt. Rub this spice mix all over the chicken thighs. Make sure the chicken is well coated!
- Cook the Base: In your oven-proof dish, melt the butter over medium heat on the stove. Add chopped onion and garlic. Let them cook for 2 minutes until they smell amazing.
- Add Rice & Chicken: Pour the rice into the dish and spread it out. Place the chicken thighs on top. Add chopped parsley and pour in the stock and water mix.
- Bake It: Cover the dish with a lid and place it in a preheated oven at 180°C (about 350°F). Let it cook for 30 minutes.
- Finish It Off: After 30 minutes, remove the lid and let it cook for 5–10 more minutes until the rice looks perfect.
- Serve: Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Add a squeeze of lemon juice on top for a fresh flavor. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t forget to rub the spice mix well so every bite of chicken tastes great.
- Spread the rice evenly in the pot, or some parts may stay uncooked.
- Make sure your pot has a tight-fitting lid, or the rice might dry out.
- After baking, check if the rice is soft enough. If not, you can add a little more hot water and bake a bit longer.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Pair it with a side of steamed broccoli or green beans.
- A small bowl of yogurt or a cucumber salad goes great with it.
- You can even serve it in a wrap for a quick lunch idea the next day!
🎉 Fun Fact
Did you know?
Cooking everything in one pot is not just easier it also helps all the flavors mix together better! That’s why one-pot meals taste so good.
✅ Conclusion
This one pot chicken and rice recipe is a winner in my kitchen easy, healthy, and super tasty. It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or even meal prep. Just one dish, a handful of ingredients, and a lot of flavor! Try it out and let me know how it goes in the comments. 🍴
