Description
Creamy chicken and rice casserole wraps family-friendly comfort in one hearty dish. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and simple preparation make this recipe a dependable weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or mixed herbs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Seasoning Blend: Whisk paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl to create a robust spice mixture.
- Chicken Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with the spice blend, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Rice Foundation: Spread uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of a large baking dish, creating a uniform base for the meal.
- Liquid Flavor Base: Blend chicken broth, water, diced onion, minced garlic, melted butter, thyme, salt, and pepper to create a deeply aromatic liquid mixture.
- Moisture Integration: Gently pour the liquid mixture over the rice, guaranteeing comprehensive and consistent distribution throughout the dish.
- Layer Assembly: Arrange seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up on the rice, positioning them to promote optimal caramelization and crispy texture.
- Initial Baking Phase: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 30 minutes, trapping moisture and developing initial flavors.
- Final Roasting: Remove foil and continue baking until chicken achieves a golden-brown exterior and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), typically an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Resting and Finishing: Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and settle, then fluff rice with a fork to create a light, airy texture.
- Serving Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve alongside complementary side dishes to complete the culinary experience.
Notes
Maximize Flavor Infusion: Marinate chicken thighs in the spice blend for 30 minutes before cooking to allow deeper seasoning penetration and enhanced taste profile.
Prevent Rice Sticking: Rinse uncooked rice thoroughly and consider using a non-stick baking dish or lightly greasing the pan to ensure easy serving and clean release.
Control Moisture Balance: Check rice liquid ratio periodically during cooking, adding slight additional broth if rice appears too dry to maintain perfect tender consistency.
Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts for lower fat content, swap regular rice with cauliflower rice for low-carb option, or use gluten-free broth for celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg