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Forgotten Chicken and Rice

Forgotten Chicken and Rice
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Forgotten Chicken and Rice is a comforting, one-pot meal combining tender chicken and fluffy long-grain white rice cooked together with simple aromatics and chicken broth. This easy, versatile recipe delivers hearty, flavorful food with minimal hands-on effort and cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 4 chicken thighs or breasts (about 1.5 pounds), trimmed and patted dry

Grains

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice

Liquids

  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth

Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Fats & Seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Add-ins

  • Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme, chopped (for garnish)
  • Vegetables such as peas, carrots, or bell peppers (about 1 cup, chopped)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Trim excess fat from the chicken and pat dry to help it brown well. Measure out rice and have chicken broth ready.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, locking in juices and flavor.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Remove chicken temporarily. In the same pot, add onions and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, scraping any browned bits from the chicken for extra taste.
  4. Add Rice and Liquid: Stir in the rice to coat it with onion and garlic. Pour in the chicken broth, stirring gently to combine everyone evenly. If adding firmer vegetables like carrots, add them now.
  5. Return Chicken and Simmer: Place the browned chicken back on top of the rice mixture. Cover tightly, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  6. Fluff and Finish: Remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and stir in fresh herbs if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t skip browning chicken; it creates deep flavor layers.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
  • Reserve extra chicken broth in case the rice needs more moisture during cooking.
  • Let the dish rest covered for 5 minutes off heat to allow steam to finish cooking the rice perfectly.
  • If adding vegetables like carrots, include them early in the cooking process to ensure they soften properly.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken and rice, one pot meal, comfort food, easy dinner, gluten free, meal prep

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/forgotten-chicken-and-rice/