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Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

Emma
Make this oven baked chicken and rice for a simple and delicious one-pan meal! Juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and savory seasonings perfect for dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 4 –6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on or boneless
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Rice:

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

  • Before the chicken hits the oven, it’s important to get it seasoned and seared to lock in flavor.
  • Pat Dry and Season the Chicken
  • Begin by gently patting the chicken dry with paper towels. Dry skin will crisp up more effectively in the oven. Rub olive oil or melted butter onto the chicken, then season generously with salt, pepper, and dried herbs. You can easily enhance the flavor by adding garlic powder, paprika, or lemon zest. If you have time, marinate the chicken for an hour for extra flavor.
  • Sear the Chicken
  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, and once hot, add olive oil. Place the chicken in the skillet, skin-side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden. Turn the chicken over and sear the other side for 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Rice

  • The rice absorbs all the delicious flavors from the chicken, making it just as important as the meat.
  • Sauté Aromatics
  • In the same pan, cook the chopped onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes until they become tender. The sweetness of the onion and the fragrant garlic add incredible depth to the dish.
  • Toast the Rice
  • Add the uncooked rice to the pan, stirring it for 1-2 minutes until it’s lightly toasted. This step allows the rice to soak up the flavors as it bakes.
  • Add Broth
  • Pour in the chicken broth and stir well. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release any brown bits from the searing process those bits are packed with flavor!

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

  • Combine Rice and Chicken
  • Transfer the rice mixture to a baking dish or leave it in your oven-safe skillet. Place the seared chicken pieces on top of the rice, skin-side up. This helps the skin crisp up during baking, while the rice soaks up all the savory juices.
  • Bake
  • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the chicken to get extra crispy.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

  • Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and verify that the rice is tender and fluffy. If the rice needs more moisture, add a splash of broth and bake for another 10 minutes.
Keyword Chicken and Rice Casserole, Comfort Food Recipe, Easy Baked Chicken Dinner, One-Pan Chicken Recipe, Oven Baked Chicken and Rice