Oven Baked Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Oven Baked Chicken and Rice recipe is a flavorful, one-pan meal featuring tender, marinated chicken thighs baked over fragrant basmati rice. Infused with garlic, aromatic herbs, and subtle spices, the dish is easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 3 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (3-3 ½ pounds)
Rice and Cooking Base
- 1 ½ cups basmati rice, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups hot water
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) ensuring it reaches the right temperature before baking.
- Marinate Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and turmeric powder. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss until fully coated in the marinade. Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Prepare Rice Base: In a 9x13 inch baking dish, combine the rinsed basmati rice, olive oil, diced onion, salt, pepper, and hot water. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Assemble and Bake Covered: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs evenly over the rice in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to cook the rice and chicken thoroughly.
- Uncover and Continue Baking: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. This step allows the chicken to brown nicely and develop a crispy crust while finishing cooking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use tongs to carefully lift the chicken thighs off the rice and set them aside. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then return the chicken on top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving to add freshness and color.
Notes
- Rinsing basmati rice helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
- Marinating the chicken at room temperature enhances flavor absorption and helps the chicken cook evenly.
- Keeping the baking dish covered during most of the cooking time steams the rice perfectly while preventing the chicken from drying out.
- For extra flavor, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving or sprinkle some toasted nuts for texture.
- Make sure to baste the chicken with the pan juices before uncovering for the last 15 minutes to enhance browning and flavor.
Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/oven-baked-chicken-and-rice-recipe/
