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Cozy Chicken & Rice Bake

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A budget-friendly, easy, and comforting chicken and rice bake that combines tender chicken thighs with fluffy rice and a golden crust, perfect for cozy nights and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skin-on preferred)
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • ½ cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Rinse 1 ½ cups of long-grain white rice under cold water until it runs clear.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Stir in peeled and chopped carrots, cooking for another 3 minutes to soften slightly.
  5. Pat dry chicken thighs and season with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Brown chicken in the skillet on both sides until golden, about 3 minutes per side.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine rinsed rice with 3 cups of low sodium chicken broth. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  7. Transfer sautéed veggies and browned chicken into an oven-safe baking dish. Pour rice and broth mixture evenly around the chicken pieces.
  8. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
  9. Remove foil carefully, stir in frozen peas, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes.
  10. Check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and rice is tender. If rice needs more time, add a splash of broth and bake for 5-10 more minutes.
  11. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Rinsing the rice before cooking keeps grains fluffy and prevents clumping. Browning the chicken adds flavor and texture. Covering the dish with foil traps steam for perfectly cooked rice. Adjust seasoning of broth as store-bought broth can be salty. Rest the dish before serving to let flavors settle and make serving easier. If rice is undercooked, add broth and bake longer. Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking. Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken bake, chicken and rice, comfort food, easy dinner, budget-friendly, one dish meal, cozy meal

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/cozy-chicken-and-rice-bake-recipe-easy-budget-friendly-comfort-meal/