One Pot Chicken and Rice
A comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken thighs, aromatic spices, and fluffy rice, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 8 thighs 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs About 1.5 lbs, perfect for creating a rich flavor.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp paprika (or smoked paprika) Adds a warm, smoky touch.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp salt Enhances overall flavor.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp cumin Offers an earthy note.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp garlic powder Adds comforting garlicky essence.
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp olive oil Adds richness and helps to sauté.
For the Vegetables
- 1 onion 1 onion (diced) Provides a sweet and aromatic base.
- 2 carrots 2 carrots (peeled and diced, about 1 1/2 cups) Adds natural sweetness and color.
- 2 cloves 2 cloves garlic (minced) Infuses the dish with aroma.
For the Rice
- 1 cup 1 cup parboiled white long grain rice Fluffy and perfect for soaking up flavors.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp oregano Adds a fragrant herbal note.
For Cooking
- 1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 cups chicken broth Enriches the flavor.
- 1/3 cup 1/3 cup frozen peas For color and sweetness.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt to make the spice rub.
- Add chicken thighs to a medium bowl and sprinkle half of the spice rub over them. Stir to coat thoroughly.
- Reserve the remaining rub for the rice.
Cooking
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
- Sear half of the chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside, repeat with remaining chicken.
- Sauté diced onion and carrots in the same pan for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in rice, minced garlic, and remaining spice rub, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and add oregano, scraping the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil.
- Return seared chicken to the pan, reduce heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Add frozen peas, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate chicken in the spice rub for a few hours. Add crushed red pepper flakes for heat or different vegetables like bell peppers or green beans to vary.