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Chicken and Rice

Chicken and Rice
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Chicken and Rice is a comforting, hearty, and easy-to-make one-pot meal featuring tender chicken pieces and fluffy, flavorful rice. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping, this classic dish uses simple pantry staples and offers endless customization options to suit any taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Grains

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice or basmati rice

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids

  • 2 cups chicken broth

Fats

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Seasonings & Herbs

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by chopping the onion and mincing the garlic. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and measure out your rice and chicken broth to ensure everything is ready before cooking.
  2. Sauté the Base: Heat olive oil or butter over medium heat in a large pot or deep skillet. Sauté onions until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and stir briefly to release its aroma, taking care not to burn it.
  3. Brown the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot. Cook until lightly browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, roughly 5-7 minutes. This seals in juices and enhances flavor.
  4. Add Rice and Seasonings: Stir the rice into the pot with the chicken, coating it well with the flavorful juices and oil. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, paprika, and your choice of herbs to enhance the dish’s aroma and taste.
  5. Add Liquid and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, increasing heat to bring everything to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is fluffy and the chicken is fully cooked.
  6. Fluff and Serve: Remove the pot from heat and let it rest, covered, for a few minutes. Then uncover and fluff the rice with a fork to separate grains and blend the flavors before serving.

Notes

  • Use long-grain rice varieties for fluffier, non-sticky grains.
  • Browning the chicken first builds richer flavor and locks in moisture.
  • Using chicken broth instead of water greatly enhances taste.
  • Keep the pot covered while simmering to cook the rice evenly.
  • Let the dish rest after cooking to improve texture and meld flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken and rice, one pot meal, easy dinner, comforting food, meal prep

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/chicken-and-rice/