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Baked Chicken with Rice

Featured in Perfect Poultry Recipes.

This dish marries tender chicken thighs with a broth-infused bed of rice. Onions are browned first, and it's baked in stages for the ideal texture.
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Updated on Thu, 03 Apr 2025 23:34:10 GMT
Three golden chicken thighs over a bed of rice topped with fresh greens. Pin it
Three golden chicken thighs over a bed of rice topped with fresh greens. | cuisinegenial.com

I came up with this One-Pan Chicken and Rice dish when I was a frazzled parent needing quick dinners on busy evenings. What got me hooked was how the chicken drippings soak into the rice during baking, making everything taste amazing with minimal effort. It's now our go-to comfort food—the meal everyone in my house begs for when they want something cozy and filling.

Easy Cooking Wonder

The magic of this dish is the single-pan approach. As everything bakes together, the rice absorbs all those wonderful chicken flavors and spices while the meat cooks up super juicy. Just last month my next-door neighbor smelled it cooking—she's now making it twice weekly and says her kids empty their plates every single time.

Ingredients List

  • The chicken: Five bone-in thighs, which turn out way juicier than using breasts.
  • Fresh aromatics: Diced onion and plenty of crushed garlic for the flavor foundation.
  • Good butter: Two tablespoons, diced into small pieces.
  • The rice: Any long-grain variety works perfectly here.
  • Your liquids: Flavorful chicken stock plus water to cook the rice just right.
  • Finishing touches: Chopped fresh parsley and a quick oil spray.

Flavor Boosters

Here's my go-to seasoning mix: paprika, dried thyme, plus garlic and onion powder with salt and pepper. Massage this all over your chicken pieces—don't miss any spots. This simple combo creates incredible flavor that works its way through the entire dish as it bakes.

Cooking Steps

Create your foundation:
Spread onions across your baking dish, add butter chunks, and let them turn golden in the oven. This step really builds amazing flavor.
Ready the rice:
Stir your rice into those tasty browned onions, pour in stock, water, and garlic—everything mingles together beautifully.
Position the chicken:
Lay your seasoned pieces on the rice mixture, making sure they're evenly spaced so their juices drip down throughout.
Cook it through:
Start covered with foil, then finish uncovered with a light oil spray to get that gorgeous golden color.
A closeup shot showing golden-brown seasoned chicken thighs on a bed of fluffy rice with fresh parsley garnish. Pin it
A closeup shot showing golden-brown seasoned chicken thighs on a bed of fluffy rice with fresh parsley garnish. | cuisinegenial.com

Ready to Eat

After baking, sprinkle fresh parsley all over—it really brightens up the dish with color and taste. The rice underneath turns out so tender and packed with chicken flavor. We usually pair this with a simple green salad on the side—it works great to balance out all that hearty goodness.

Helpful Tips

Want that chicken skin extra crispy? Run it under the broiler for about 60 seconds at the end. If your rice isn't quite soft enough, just pour in a bit more hot liquid, cover again, and cook a few minutes longer. Trying different chicken pieces? Just remember boneless cuts will cook faster—keep watching them. Don't have regular paprika? Swap in chili powder or smoky paprika for a tasty twist.

Time-Saving Ideas

You can get this dish ready ahead of time—just store it covered in your fridge until you're ready to cook. If it's cold from the fridge, add a few more minutes to your baking time. The leftovers stay good for about three days and actually taste even better. When you warm it up, add a tiny bit of water or stock to keep everything moist.

A detailed view of golden chicken thighs resting on fluffy seasoned rice with bright parsley garnish. Pin it
A detailed view of golden chicken thighs resting on fluffy seasoned rice with bright parsley garnish. | cuisinegenial.com

Comforting Perfection

This one-pan chicken and rice has become our favorite weeknight meal. There's something special about how everything cooks together—those rich flavors soaking into every bit of rice while the most amazing smells fill your kitchen. It's what I cook when someone needs a pick-me-up, when we want food that feels like comfort in every bite. The simplest dishes often turn into family favorites.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What rice is most suitable?
Stick to jasmine, basmati, or long-grain options. They cook well and retain a fluffy texture.
→ Why caramelize onions first?
It boosts flavor and guarantees the onions are fully cooked in the dish.
→ Can chicken breasts replace thighs?
Thighs are better as they stay moist longer during the rice's cooking time.
→ Why bake covered and then uncovered?
Covered cooking steams the rice perfectly, while uncovered time allows the chicken to brown.
→ Can I prep this in advance?
It’s tastiest fresh, but leftovers can be stored and reheated with extra liquid to freshen up the rice.

Baked Chicken with Rice

Flavorful chicken thighs baked on top of rice cooked with golden onions. A simple one-pan dinner that makes cleanup a breeze.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
65 Minutes
Total Time
80 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Poultry

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 5 Servings (5 servings)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 5 chicken thighs, bone in, no skin.
02 1 chopped onion.
03 A couple of minced garlic cloves.
04 2 tablespoons of butter.
05 1 and a half cups of uncooked white rice.
06 1 and a half cups of chicken broth.
07 1 and a quarter cups of plain water.
08 A teaspoon of paprika.
09 A teaspoon of dried thyme leaves.
10 Half a teaspoon of garlic powder.
11 Half a teaspoon of onion powder.
12 Three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt.
13 Pepper, add as much as you like.
14 Cooking spray to coat.
15 Fresh parsley for decoration.

Instructions

Step 01

Set the oven to 350°F. Grab a 9x13 pan, toss in the butter and chopped onion, and bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown.

Step 02

Combine all the seasoning ingredients and rub this mix all over the chicken so it’s well-coated.

Step 03

Stir the rice into your baked onions. Then, pour in the garlic, water, and broth, giving it a good mix.

Step 04

Lay the chicken on top of the rice mixture, cover the dish tightly with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 05

Remove the foil, spray the chicken thighs with oil, and bake for another 20 minutes until the chicken’s cooked and the rice is soft.

Notes

  1. Choose any long-grain rice you have on hand.
  2. Cooking time needs adjustment if you switch to boneless thighs.

Tools You'll Need

  • A 9x13 dish for baking.
  • Foil to cover.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 35 g