Oven Baked Chicken and Rice Recipe (2024)

Published: December 15, 2022 by Sangeetha Vel | Updated: March 12, 2024 Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe

Experience the joy of cooking with this Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice recipe, a straightforward and delightful one-pot meal. Perfect for busy evenings, it combines juicy chicken thighs with rice, all seasoned with easy-to-make spices.

Jump to:

Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
How to Bake Chicken and Rice at Home?
Baked Chicken and Rice
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
Nutrition Info
Serving Suggestions
Storage Suggestions

This one-pan method makes cooking a breeze, delivering a tasty meal suitable for lunch or dinner. Great for preparing ahead, this dish is a great example of how rice-based meals can be both easy to make and delicious, making it a favorite for your regular cooking lineup.

Explore a Variety of Baked Chicken Recipes:

Roasted Whole Chicken
Baked Chicken Thighs
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
Baked Chicken Breasts
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Baked Chicken Wings

Ingredients and Substitutions Overview

For this chicken and rice recipe, you'll find that the ingredients are basic and might already be in your pantry. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need.

Ingredients for Marination:

Chicken Thighs: Bone-in thighs enrich the rice with flavor. You can choose between skinless or skin-on, depending on your preference.
Spice Powders: A mix of chili, coriander, cumin, onion, garlic, and black pepper powder creates a warm, spicy, and earthy taste.
Oil: Olive oil is ideal for helping the spices stick to the chicken, but you can use any cooking oil you have.
Herbs: Dried parsley is used here, but feel free to experiment with other herbs like cilantro or mint for a unique flavor profile.

Additional Ingredients:

Rice Choice: Feel free to use basmati, jasmine, or regular white rice. I prefer basmati for its unique aroma and flavor.
Butter: A little butter goes a long way in making the rice rich and flavorful.
Onion and Garlic: These add a nice, sweet warmth to the overall taste.
Chicken Broth: This is essential for giving the rice its depth of flavor. Using chicken broth instead of water really makes a difference. You can also mix half broth and half water.
Bay Leaves: Just a couple of bay leaves can add a subtle, unique flavor to the dish.

How to Bake Chicken and Rice at Home?

Get ready to bring this delicious Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice dish to life! Follow along with the photos and video for a step-by-step guide. We'll start with prepping the seasoning and marinating the chicken, then move on to baking the chicken and rice to perfection. Let's dive in!

Explore a World of FlavoredRice Dishes:

Chicken and Rice
Chicken and Rice Soup
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice
Chicken Biryani
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken Mandi
Nasi Goreng

Baked Chicken and Rice

Enjoy this easy and delicious Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice, a one-pot wonder combining juicy chicken thighs and buttery rice, seasoned to perfection. Ideal for both lunch and dinner, it's a must-try rice recipe!

5 from 1 vote

Author: Sangeetha Vel

Subscribe print (text-only)

pin review save

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Adjust 4 servings

Ingredients

For Seasoning

▢ 4 Chicken Thighs
▢ 1 tsp Chili Powder
▢ 2 tsp Coriander Powder
▢ ½ tsp Garlic Powder
▢ ½ tsp Onion Powder
▢ ½ tsp Ground Black Peppper
▢ 1 tsp Salt
▢ ½ tsp Dried Parsley
▢ ¾ tsp Cumin Powder
▢ 2 tbsp Oil

Other Ingredients

▢ ¼ cup Onion, chopped
▢ 2 tsp Garlic, chopped
▢ 2 Bay Leaves
▢ 2 tsp Butter, unsalted
▢ 1 cup Rice, Long grain, I have used basmati here, rinsed
▢ 2 cup Chicken Broth
▢ Coriander Leaves, to garnish

Instructions

To Prep Seasoning

In a bowl, blend together chili, coriander, cumin, onion, garlic, black pepper powder, and salt until evenly combined.
Place the chicken thighs in a separate bowl. Drizzle oil over them, then add your spice mix reserving about ⅙ of the mix for later use. Toss until the chicken is thoroughly coated with the seasoning. Set aside for later use.

To Bake Chicken and Rice

In your baking pan, combine bay leaves, onion, garlic, reserved seasoning mix, rice, chicken broth, and butter. Stir everything together well.
Place the marinated chicken thighs over the rice mixture in the pan.
Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 355°F for 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, remove the foil. Continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed.
Once done, take the dish out of the oven. Garnish with coriander leaves, fluff the rice gently, and it's ready to be served.

To Serve

Enjoy this effortless one-pan baked chicken and rice with your favorite side salad or any side dish you prefer, for a delightful and satisfying lunch or dinner.

Recipe Video

Chef's Notes and Tips

Handy Tips for a Perfect Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice:

Choosing Rice: This recipe is versatile with rice choices - basmati, white, jasmine, or brown rice all work well. Keep in mind that cooking times and broth ratios may vary based on the rice type.
Baking Pan Size: Ensure you use the correct size of the baking pan for the amount of rice and chicken you're preparing. For this recipe, I've found a 10x15 inch pan works perfectly.
Optimal Baking Temperature: For best results, bake between 355-375°F. Start by covering the dish with foil for the first 40 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the water is absorbed. This technique ensures a crispy top layer on the rice. If the rice gets overly crispy, a gentle fluff will distribute the crispy bits evenly.
Checking Chicken Temperature: While the chicken usually cooks well within the given time and temperature, always check its internal temperature using food thermometer. The FDA recommends a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F for poultry.
Fat Content: The combination of butter and olive oil adds a luxurious, mellow taste to the rice. Both are used in this recipe, but feel free to adjust their amounts to match your flavor preference.
Rice Texture: To avoid mushy rice, ensure you measure the broth accurately. The rice absorbs the liquid as it cooks, so the right ratio is crucial for the perfect texture.
Let the Chicken Rest: After baking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat is moist and flavorful.
Aromatic Touch: Consider adding a cinnamon stick or a star anise to the rice before baking. These aromatics can elevate the flavor profile of the dish.
Vegetable Boost: For added nutrition and color, mix in some vegetables like peas, carrots, or bell peppers into the rice before baking.
Customize the Heat: If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced fresh chilies to the seasoning mix.
Checking Rice Doneness: If the rice isn’t fully cooked after the recommended baking time, add a little more broth and continue baking for a few more minutes.
Herb Garnish: Before serving, garnish with fresh herbs like chopped parsley, cilantro, or dill for a burst of freshness and color.
Leftover Magic: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and make a great base for fried rice or a chicken and rice soup the next day.

Nutrition Info

Disclaimer

We’re not nutrition experts. Nutritional info is estimated and should be used as a guide. For precise details, consult a professional.

View Our Detailed Disclaimers

Tried this recipe?Mention @yellowchilis or tag #yellowchilis!

Explore our diverse culinary collection, filled with a variety of rice and chicken dinner recipes. Discover everything from globally-inspired rice dishes to delectable chicken thigh and breast recipes, perfect for those eager to taste a world of rich and vibrant flavors.

Serving Suggestions

Steamed Vegetables: A mix of steamed broccoli, carrots, and green beans offers a healthy, colorful side that complements the rich flavors of the chicken and rice.
Garden Salad: A fresh garden salad with a light vinaigrette dressing balances the hearty nature of the dish, adding a crisp and refreshing element.
Garlic Bread: Serve with warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up any delicious juices and add a comforting carb component.
Roasted Asparagus or Brussel Sprouts: These roasted vegetables bring a delightful crunch and slight bitterness, creating a perfect contrast to the dish.
Cucumber Yogurt Salad: A cool and creamy cucumber yogurt salad (like a Greek tzatziki) can add a refreshing and tangy touch.
Sautéed Spinach or Kale: Leafy greens sautéed with garlic complement the meal with their earthy flavors and add a nutritional boost.
Warm Lentil Salad: A warm lentil salad seasoned with herbs can offer a satisfying and fiber-rich addition to the meal.
Fruit Salad: End the meal with a light fruit salad for a sweet and healthy dessert option.
Pickled Vegetables: Add a tangy kick with a side of pickled cucumbers, carrots, or beets.

Storage Suggestions

Keep your baked chicken and rice fresh for up to two days by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you're ready to enjoy it again, just warm it up in the microwave for a few minutes until it's heated evenly. This ensures your meal remains delicious and ready to eat whenever you are.