Oven Baked Chicken And Rice Recipe

One-pan meals have roots in global cuisine, where efficiency meets flavor in a single cooking vessel. You'll want to master this oven-baked chicken and rice recipe that transforms humble ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish. With minimal prep and maximum taste, this method promises golden-crusted chicken atop perfectly steamed rice—a technique that'll elevate your home cooking game and impress even discerning dinner guests.

Recipe Highlights

• An easy one-pan oven-baked chicken and rice recipe requires just 4 chicken thighs, 1½ cups long-grain white rice, and 2½ cups chicken broth.
• Rinse rice thoroughly, season chicken thighs with Italian seasoning, and spread rice evenly in a baking dish to ensure uniform cooking and flavor distribution.
• Drizzle olive oil over the dish, pour chicken broth over the rice, and bake at a precise temperature to achieve perfectly cooked, tender chicken and fluffy rice.
• Allow the dish to rest after cooking to enhance moisture retention and flavor, creating a comforting and satisfying meal that impresses dinner guests.
• Garnish with fresh herbs, pair with a side salad or bread, and consider experimenting with seasonal vegetables to elevate the basic chicken and rice recipe.

History

Because chicken and rice dishes have been staples in countless cultures for generations, their combined culinary history is remarkably rich and diverse.

You'll find variations of this classic combo spanning from Mediterranean paella to Asian stir-fries, each region developing its unique take on the humble meal. Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines particularly elevated the chicken and rice partnership, transforming simple ingredients into complex, layered dishes.

Your exploration of this recipe connects you to centuries of culinary tradition.

The one-pan technique itself emerged from practical home cooking needs, where families sought efficient meal preparation methods. Resourceful cooks learned that combining proteins and grains in a single vessel could create deeply satisfying, economical meals that stretched limited ingredients while delivering maximum flavor.

Recipe

Discover a delightful one-pan meal that transforms simple ingredients into a comforting dinner with minimal effort. This chicken and rice recipe combines tender chicken thighs with perfectly cooked rice, creating a hearty dish that's both flavorful and satisfying.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, requiring just a few pantry staples and one baking dish. As the chicken roasts, its natural juices infuse the rice underneath, resulting in a golden, crispy-skinned main course that will become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs, skin-on
• 1½ cups long-grain white rice
• 2½ cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Rinse the rice and spread it evenly in a 9×13 baking dish. Pour the chicken broth over the rice and stir to distribute it uniformly. Season the chicken thighs with Italian seasoning, then carefully place them skin-side up on top of the rice.

Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs and cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes. The chicken is done when the skin turns golden and crispy, and the rice has absorbed all the liquid.

For optimal results, use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking. Avoid lifting the foil during the initial cooking phase to maintain steam, which helps cook the rice perfectly. If the rice seems too wet after cooking, let the dish rest uncovered for 5-10 minutes to absorb excess moisture.

Always verify that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving to ensure food safety.

Cooking Steps

Start by thoroughly rinsing your rice to remove excess starch, ensuring a fluffy final texture. Then drain it completely before spreading evenly in your baking dish.

Next, season your chicken thighs generously with Italian seasoning, creating a flavorful coating that'll develop a crispy, golden skin during baking.

Finally, pour chicken broth over the rice with precision, drizzle olive oil across the dish, and you'll set the stage for a perfectly integrated one-pan meal that promises tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice.

Step 1. Rinse Rice Thoroughly, Drain

Gently rinse your long-grain white rice under cool running water to remove excess starch, which can make your finished dish gummy or sticky. Use a fine-mesh strainer and move the rice around with your fingers, allowing water to flow through and carry away the cloudy surface residue.

• Tip: Rinse until water runs clear, typically 3-4 times
• Use cool to lukewarm water
• Swirl and agitate rice gently
• Don't scrub or crush the grains

Let the rice drain completely after rinsing, shaking the strainer to remove excess moisture.

A well-drained rice ensures your chicken and rice bake will have the perfect texture: fluffy, separated grains that absorb the chicken broth beautifully without becoming waterlogged or clumpy.

Step 2. Season Chicken Thighs

After thoroughly rinsing and draining your rice, you'll want to turn your attention to preparing the star of this one-pan meal: the chicken thighs.

Pat the thighs dry with paper towels to ensure proper seasoning adherence and crispy skin development. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning generously over both sides of the chicken, making sure to:

• Cover entire surface evenly
• Gently press seasoning into meat
• Distribute herbs uniformly

Focus on creating a thin, consistent layer of herbs that'll infuse the chicken with robust flavor.

The Italian seasoning blend typically includes:

• Dried oregano
• Basil
• Thyme
• Rosemary

These herbs will complement the chicken's natural richness, creating a harmonious flavor profile that'll elevate your one-pan dinner from simple to sublime.

Step 3. Spread Rice Evenly

Because perfectly distributed rice is crucial for even cooking, you'll want to pour your rinsed long-grain white rice into the 9×13 baking dish with precision.

Use the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to spread the grains into a uniform, thin layer that covers the entire bottom of the dish. Ensure there are no clumped sections or uneven patches that could disrupt cooking consistency.

Press gently to create a flat surface, which helps the rice absorb liquid evenly. When you add the chicken broth, stir carefully to distribute moisture throughout the rice without disturbing your carefully arranged layer.

This methodical approach guarantees each grain will cook uniformly, resulting in perfectly tender rice that's neither soggy nor dry.

Step 4. Pour Broth Over Rice

Liquid gold meets fluffy grains in this pivotal moment of chicken and rice preparation. You'll want to carefully pour the chicken broth over your evenly spread rice, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.

Gently tilt the baking dish to help distribute the liquid, watching as it settles between the grains. Use the full 2½ cups of broth, which will provide essential moisture and flavor for your rice.

• Pour slowly and steadily
• Aim for even distribution
• Avoid creating dry pockets
• Ensure broth reaches all rice edges

The liquid's temperature doesn't matter much, but room temperature broth will help maintain consistent cooking temperatures.

Stir briefly with a fork to prevent any rice from clumping, creating a perfect foundation for your one-pan chicken masterpiece.

Step 5. Drizzle Oil Over Dish

Drizzle olive oil generously over the chicken and rice, creating a golden, glistening layer that'll help crisp the chicken skin and add rich flavor to your one-pan meal.

The oil serves multiple culinary purposes: it promotes even browning, prevents sticking, and enhances the overall taste profile.

When drizzling, aim for an even distribution across the chicken thighs and surrounding rice. Use approximately 2 tablespoons, moving your hand in a slow, controlled motion to ensure complete coverage.

The oil should glisten on the surface, creating a protective sheen that'll transform during baking.

Pro tip: Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best results, as its nuanced flavor will subtly infuse into the dish, elevating the entire meal's taste experience.

Final Thoughts

When you're looking for a hassle-free dinner that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, this oven-baked chicken and rice recipe is your go-to solution.

You'll appreciate how this one-pan wonder transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with barely any cleanup. The technique ensures perfectly cooked chicken with crispy skin and fluffy, flavor-infused rice every single time.

Pro tips to elevate your dish include:

• Using fresh herbs for additional seasoning
• Selecting high-quality chicken thighs
• Allowing the dish to rest after cooking

Remember that precise temperature control and proper liquid ratios are key to achieving that ideal texture.

Your dinner guests won't believe how effortlessly you've created such a delicious, comforting meal.