Chicken and Rice is a rich, flavor-loaded, and easy-to-make one-pot meal. It is usually made with chicken thighs, basmati rice or white rice, jasmine rice, basic seasonings, and aromatics. The chicken thighs are usually seasoned with spice powders, pan-fried, and then cooked along with a flavorful aromatic rice.
This One Pot Chicken and Rice is one of the best and easy-to-make rice dishes that taste great on their own. However, you can also serve it with roasted and baked vegetables, salads, and other side dishes of your choice for lunch and dinner.
The recipe I have shared here shows you how to make One Pot Chicken and Rice with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try and enjoy at home. I have also shared a detailed video of this recipe below to make the process visually clear.
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What is Chicken and Rice?
Chicken and Rice is a rich, flavor-loaded, and easy-to-make one-pot meal. It is usually made with chicken thighs, rice, basic seasonings, and aromatics. The chicken thighs are usually seasoned with spice powders, pan-fried, and then cooked along with a flavorful aromatic rice.
Making Chicken and Rice in a pot is one the best ways to make your meal without losing the flavors. Not to mention the flavors of the cumin, cinnamon, and bay leaves which deliver a rich flavor and taste to your rice.
Also, cooking the rice and chicken in chicken broth adds a lot of flavor to your dish than cooking them in regular water. Overall, you can make a flavor-packed rice dish with tender and juicy chicken thighs in it.
So if you are looking for a simple yet delicious one-pot chicken dinner recipes, then this Chicken and Rice is one delicious recipe to try. It tastes great on its own but you can also serve it along with other favorite sides of your choice.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this Chicken and Rice are basic spices powders, and aromatics. Thes ingredients should be easily available in most grocery stores around. So let's see what are they below.
For Seasoning
Following are the ingredients you will need for the seasonings.
- Chicken Thighs - I have used bone-in, skinless chicken thighs here, but you can also use boneless chicken thighs. You could also use Chicken breast meat but you have to modify the cooking time as it cooks fast. It also turns dry due to searing and then cooking again in a pot. So for a rich and flavorful meal, I would recommend choosing thighs over breast
- Paprika - It is usually less spicy compared to regular chili powder. But if you would like to increase the spice level, then you can use it instead of paprika. But if you are using chili powder then you can use 1 tsp instead of 1 tbsp paprika
- Black Pepper - Delivers the earthy, and warm flavor to your dish
- Onion and Garlic Powder - Delivers the savory and garlicky flavor to your dish
- Ginger Powder - For warm, and mildly spicy flavor notes. Adding both ginger and garlic helps to remove the raw smell from the chicken
Other Ingredients for Chicken and Rice
Following are the ingredients to make Chicken and Rice.
- Aromatics - cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, bay leaves, onion, and garlic for fresh taste and aroma
- Rice - I would suggest using long grain especially less starchy rice for a fluffy end result. Here I have used basmati rice, but you can also use regular long-grain rice or jasmine rice for a similar result
- Butter - Delivers a buttery rich and soft rice
- Chicken Broth or stock - Even though you could cook the rice with water, using chicken broth or stock delivers rich flavor to the dish
- Oil - Feel free to use any neutral-tasting oil to shallow fry the chicken thighs
- Herbs - You could use cilantro, parsley, or mint leaves to garnish the rice
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below
How to make One Pot Chicken and Rice?
The recipe I have shared here is Easy One Pot Chicken and Rice. It is one of the best rice dishes that need basic pantry ingredients to make it from scratch. The best part is it can be easily made and can be easily customized according to your preferences.
Following are the high-level instructions to make this recipe but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and video, please check out the recipe card below.
Prep Seasoning
- Prep Seasoning - In a bowl, add paprika, coriander powder, ginger, garlic, onion, black pepper powder, and salt. Give everything a good mix
Season Chicken
- Season Chicken - Now add a generous amount of the seasoning over all the chicken thighs and coat the seasoning on all sides. I have reserved ¾ tsp of seasoning for later use to add while making the rice
- Rest The Chicken - Once the chicken thighs are seasoned, allow them to rest for at least 10 minutes. This will help the chicken to absorb the flavors from the spice powders
Prep Rice
- Rinse the Rice - While the chicken is allowed to rest, rinse your rice in clean water at least 2 to 3 times or until the water runs clear. Reserve the rice for later use. Rinsing the rice a few times will help to remove the dust, debris, and starch from the rice. It also helps to deliver fluffy rice once cooked
Prep Chicken and Rice
- Fry the Chicken Thighs - In a pan, pour oil and allow it to reach a medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken thighs one by one and fry them for 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until they turn golden brown (Note: the chicken will be cooked again with rice, so it is okay if the chicken is half cooked and it is not needed to cook completely at this stage)
- Remove - Remove the seared chicken thighs from the oil and reserve them for later use. The seared thighs will leave some water, so reserve it as well
- Saute aromatics - Now in the same pan with the remaining oil, add a tbsp of butter, and allow it to melt. Now add the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, onion, and garlic. Saute until they turn aromatic
- Add Seasoning - Now add the reserved seasoning powder and saute until the raw aroma leaves
- Add Broth - Add 3 cups of chicken broth or stock and give it a good mix. Bring the mixture to boil
- Bring the Rice to a Boil - Now add the rinsed Basmati rice and give it a good mix. Bring it to boil
- Add the Chicken - Once the rice mixture starts to boil, add the browned chicken thighs on top of the rice. Also, add the leftover water from the chicken at this stage
- Simmer and Cook - Simmer the heat to low and close the pan with its lid and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Or until the rice and chicken are cooked well
- Fluff and Serve - Open the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Finally, garnish with cilantro or parsley leaves. Now the flavor-packed Chicken and Rice is ready for you to enjoy
Tips
- Chicken Thighs or Breast - I have used bone-in, skinless chicken thighs here, but you can also use boneless chicken thighs. You could also use Chicken breast meat but you have to modify the cooking time as it cooks fast. It also turns dry due to searing and then cooking again in a pot. So for a rich and flavorful meal, I would recommend choosing thighs over breast
- Choose quality Spices - Use quality spice powders for seasoning the chicken, which helps to deliver the best taste and flavor to your dish
- Use less starchy Rice - I would recommend using long-grain rice like Basmati rice which delivers a fresh aroma and fluffy rice. However, you can also use Jasmine rice or regular rice to make this dish
- Simmer and Cook - Once the rice comes to a boil, make sure to add the seared chicken and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cooking the chicken and rice in the lowest setting with the lid on helps to cook them evenly
- Don't forget the aromatics - Adding fresh aromatics like cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin seeds, onion, and garlic adds so much flavor to your rice, so I recommend not skipping it
Storage Suggestions
This One Pot Chicken and Rice tastes comforting as soon as it is prepared. But the leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in a closed airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken and Rice taste great on its own but it tastes delicious with raita. To add some veggies, you can also serve roasted vegetables, roasted green beans, roasted asparagus, roasted broccoli, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, sauteed spinach, or other side dishes of your choice.
Related Recipes
You could also find similar rice recipes below and more chicken recipes.
More chicken and rice recipes:
One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe below that I hope will help you to make a delicious meal at home. You could also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
For Marination
- 4 Chicken Thighs, or chicken breast
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- ¾ tsp Garlic Powder
- ¾ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- Salt, as needed
Other Ingredients
- 1½ cup Long Grain Rice, I have used Basmati here
- ½ tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 1½ tbsp Garlic, Chopped
- 3 cup Chicken Broth, or stock
- 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp Oil
- Cilantro Leaves, or parsley or mint leaves to garnish
Instructions
Prep Seasoning
- In a bowl, add paprika, coriander powder, ginger, garlic, onion, and black pepper powder, and salt. Give everything a good mix
Season Chicken
- Now add a generous amount of the seasoning over all the chicken thighs and coat the seasoning on all the sides. I have reserved ¾ tsp of seasoning for later use to add while making the rice
- Once the chicken thighs are seasoned, allow them to rest for at least 10 minutes
Prep Chicken and Rice
- While the chicken is allowed to rest, rinse your rice in clean water at least 2 to 3 times or until the water runs clear. Reserve the rice for later use
- In a pan, pour oil and allow it to reach medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken thighs one by one and fry them for 5 to 7 minutes on both sides or until they turn golden brown (Note: the chicken will be cooked again with rice, so it is okay if the chicken is half cooked and it is not needed to cook through at this stage)
- Remove the seared chicken thighs from the oil and reserve them for later use. The seared thighs will leave some water, so reserve it as well
- Now in the same pan with the remaining oil, add a tbsp of butter, and allow it to melt. Now add the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, onion, and garlic. Saute until they turn aromatic
- Now add the reserved seasoning powder and saute until the raw aroma leaves
- Add 3 cups of chicken broth and give it a good mix. Bring the mixture to boil
- Now add the rinsed Basmati rice and give it a good mix. Bring it to boil
- Once the rice mixture starts to boil, add the browned chicken thighs on top of the rice. Also, add the leftover water from the chicken at this stage
- Simmer the heat to low and close the pan with its lid and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Or until the rice and chicken are cooked well
- Open the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Finally, you could also use coriander, parsley or mint leaves to garnish the rice. Now the flavor-packed Chicken and Rice is ready for you to enjoy
Video
Notes
- Chicken Thighs or Breast - I have used bone-in, skinless chicken thighs here, but you can also use boneless chicken thighs. You could also use Chicken breast meat but you have to modify the cooking time as it cooks fast. It also turns dry due to searing and then cooking again in a pot. So for a rich and flavorful meal, I would recommend choosing thighs over breast
- Choose quality Spices - Use quality spice powders for seasoning the chicken, which helps to deliver the best taste and flavor to your dish
- Use less starchy Rice - I would recommend using long-grain rice like Basmati rice which delivers a fresh aroma to your dish. However, you can also use Jasmine rice or regular rice to make this dish
- Simmer and Cook - Once the rice comes to a boil, make sure to add the seared chicken and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cooking the chicken and rice in the lowest setting with the lid on helps to cook them evenly
- Don't forget the aromatics - Adding fresh aromatics like cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin seeds, onion, and garlic adds so much flavor to your rice, so I recommend not skipping it
Nutrition
FAQ
It is a rich, flavor-loaded, and easy-to-make one-pot meal. It is usually made with chicken thighs, rice, basic seasonings, and aromatics. The chicken thighs are usually seasoned with spice powders, pan-fried, and then cooked along with a flavorful aromatic rice.
Typically chicken and rice are considered healthy as they are a good source of carbs and proteins. The recipe shared here involves shallow frying the chicken thighs in minimal oil which does not fall under the healthy category. If you are looking for a healthy version then I recommend trying the Chicken and Rice bake method. There the chicken as well as rice is baked in an oven for similar results.
Yes, you can skip the butter, and make the whole recipe in oil.
This dish tastes great on its own but it tastes delicious with raita. To add some veggies, you can also serve it with roasted vegetables, roasted green beans, roasted asparagus, roasted broccoli, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, sauteed spinach, or other side dishes of your choice.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe I shared here and I would love to hear from you about how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Cooking!
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