**One-Pan Oven Baked Chicken and Rice: Easy & Delicious Weeknight Dinner!**
In the rush of a busy week, finding a dinner solution that is both quick and satisfying can be a challenge. Enter the One-Pan Oven Baked Chicken and Rice—a recipe designed to simplify your cooking routine while delivering a delicious and hearty meal. This dish combines tender chicken with flavorful rice and vegetables, all cooked together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze. Here’s everything you need to know to create this easy weeknight winner.
### Ingredients
- **4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or breasts**
- **1 cup long-grain white rice**
- **2 cups chicken broth**
- **1 cup frozen peas and carrots (or fresh if preferred)**
- **1 small onion, finely chopped**
- **3 cloves garlic, minced**
- **1 teaspoon dried thyme**
- **1 teaspoon dried rosemary**
- **1 teaspoon paprika**
- **Salt and pepper to taste**
- **2 tablespoons olive oil**
### Instructions
1. **Preheat the Oven* Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your dish will cook evenly.
2. **Prepare the Rice Mixture* In a large bowl, combine the rice, chicken broth, chopped onion, minced garlic, frozen peas and carrots, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure the rice is evenly coated with the seasonings.
3. **Season the Chicken* Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Rub them with olive oil and season generously with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of paprika.
4. **Assemble the Dish* Spread the rice mixture evenly in the bottom of a large baking dish or ovenproof skillet. Place the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the rice.
5. **Bake* Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
6. **Rest and Serve* Allow the dish to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to serve.
### Tips for Success
- **Choose the Right Rice* Long-grain white rice works best for this recipe as it cooks evenly and stays separate. If using brown rice, you may need to adjust the cooking time and liquid amount.
- **Add Extra Vegetables* Feel free to customize the dish with your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- **Make it Spicy* For a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
### Benefits of One-Pan Cooking
One-pan meals like this one are not only convenient but also perfect for busy families. Here’s why:
- **Minimal Cleanup* With everything cooked in a single dish, cleanup is quick and easy.
- **Flavorful and Moist* Cooking the chicken on top of the rice allows the juices to flavor the grains, making each bite more delicious.
- **Nutritionally Balanced* This meal provides a good balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables, making it a wholesome choice for dinner.
Whether you’re feeding a family or just looking for a stress-free meal, this One-Pan Oven Baked Chicken and Rice is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Enjoy the simplicity and taste of this easy weeknight dinner!
**Happy cooking!**
