Description
Homemade chicken and rice delivers comfort through classic Southern culinary traditions. Families will savor hearty flavors blending tender meat with perfectly seasoned grains, creating a satisfying meal you can enjoy with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on or 2 boneless chicken breasts)
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water with bouillon)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or brown rice)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
- ½ tsp turmeric or saffron (optional, for color and flavor)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup frozen peas (optional)
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Pat chicken thighs completely dry, then generously coat with a harmonious blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Searing Chicken: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Place chicken skin-side down, developing a golden-brown crust for 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 2 minutes, then transfer to a holding plate.
- Aromatic Base: In the same pan, melt butter and sauté finely chopped onions with minced garlic until translucent and fragrant. Introduce rice, toasting grains to develop a rich, nutty essence.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth into the pan, incorporating thyme, black pepper, and optional turmeric. Carefully position seared chicken pieces atop the rice mixture, partially submerging them.
- Simmering and Finishing: Reduce heat to low, cover, and allow the dish to simmer for 18-20 minutes. During the final 5 minutes, sprinkle frozen peas across the surface to steam and add vibrant color.
- Serving Presentation: Remove from heat and let rest briefly. Fluff rice with a fork, creating a light texture. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with bright lemon wedges for a zesty finale.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Dryness: Pat chicken thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy golden-brown exterior and preventing steaming instead of searing.
- Enhance Flavor Layering: Toast rice grains before adding liquid to develop a deeper, nuttier flavor profile and maximize the dish’s overall taste complexity.
- Perfect Rice Texture: Use long-grain rice and maintain a consistent low heat during simmering to prevent scorching and achieve fluffy, separate rice kernels.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap chicken thighs with boneless skinless chicken breasts for a leaner option, or use cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that maintains the dish’s essential flavor structure.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg