Description
This One-Pot Chicken and Rice recipe delivers a comforting, flavorful meal with tender chicken thighs cooked alongside fluffy rice and sweet peas. Utilizing simple ingredients and a hands-on stovetop method, this dish is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup rice
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Liquids and Oils
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering to prepare for sautéing the aromatics and browning the chicken.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, stirring frequently until they become fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Brown chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika. Add them to the pot and brown for 4-5 minutes on each side, developing flavor and color.
- Add rice and broth: Stir in the rice and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil to start cooking the rice.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the mixture simmer for approximately 20 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the broth and the chicken to cook through.
- Add peas: In the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the frozen peas to heat them through without overcooking.
- Rest and serve: Remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the dish to settle.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs provide more flavor and tenderness.
- For added flavor, consider garnishing with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
- Make sure not to lift the lid frequently during simmering to maintain steam and properly cook the rice.
- If using long-grain rice like basmati or jasmine, adjust cooking time slightly as needed.
- This recipe can be doubled easily by using a larger pot and doubling ingredient amounts.
