Description
Oven Baked Chicken and Rice is a hearty, one-pan meal featuring juicy, seasoned chicken baked over flavorful, perfectly cooked rice. Easy to prepare and perfect for a stress-free family dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the rice:
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth (or water with bouillon)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust based on broth saltiness)
Optional add-ins:
- 1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables (add in the last 10 minutes of baking)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric for a golden hue and mild spice
- Sliced mushrooms for an earthy depth
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil, then coat them evenly with the seasoning mixture. Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Rice Mixture
- In a large ovenproof dish (9×13-inch recommended), add rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, thyme, parsley, butter, and salt.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil, then bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is golden brown with crispy skin.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before fluffing the rice and serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Boneless Chicken – Use boneless, skinless thighs or breasts but reduce the baking time to prevent drying out.
- Brown Rice – Swap white rice for brown rice, increasing the broth to 3 ¾ cups and baking for about 1 hour.
- Spicy Kick – Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the seasoning mix.
- Coconut Rice – Replace half the chicken broth with coconut milk for a rich, slightly sweet flavor.
- Vegetable Boost – Stir in bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini for added nutrition and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Oven baked chicken, chicken and rice, one-pan meal, easy dinner, comfort food