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Bursting with rich, buttery garlic flavor and tender, juicy chicken thighs, this chicken and rice dinner is the ultimate comfort meal that will impress even the pickiest eaters. The rice absorbs all the savory goodness from the chicken, creating a dish that’s as flavorful as it is satisfying—perfect for a cozy family dinner or an easy weeknight meal.
Chicken thighs and rice are truly my jam—it’s a main and a side dish all in one pot! Don’t miss out on this fantastic recipe, or check out my other amazing one for lemon rice soup. You can also explore these popular boneless, skinless chicken thigh recipes for more delicious dinner ideas.
Everyone in this household is a huge fan of this garlic butter chicken and rice recipe that’s baked in the oven! We’re talking about succulent, perfectly seasoned chicken thighs nestled on a bed of garlic-infused, buttery rice. As the dish bakes, the rice absorbs all the rich flavors from the chicken, making every bite incredibly savory and delicious. The entire dish comes together in one pan with minimal prep, taking less than 10 minutes to set up, making it an easy yet flavorful option for busy weeknights.
Why I Love This Chicken And Rice Recipe
- Flavorful: The combination of juicy, tender chicken with a rich, buttery garlic flavor makes this dish exceptionally comforting and delicious.
- Convenience: As a one-pot dinner that’s ready in less than an hour, this recipe is incredibly convenient for busy schedules, joining the ranks of my no peek chicken and salsa verde chicken!
- Practical: The 2-in-1 nature of the recipe, combining the main dish and side in a single cooking process, is not only a time-saver but also an excellent way to simplify meal planning.
Recipe Ingredients
This oven baked chicken and rice recipe uses simple, pantry ingredients to create a flavorful dish. From juicy chicken thighs to perfectly cooked garlic-infused rice, here’s everything you need to make this delicious one-pan meal.
- Skinless, bone-in chicken thighs – For this recipe, it’s best to avoid using skin-on chicken thighs, as they can make the rice too greasy. If boneless thighs are your only option, you can use them, but they will end up slightly overcooked. Chicken drumsticks or leg quarters also work well for this dish. I recommend avoiding chicken breasts as they tend to dry out during the cooking process.
- Paprika – Sweet or smoked paprika will add a mild sweetness and a smoky flavor. Chili powder is a good alternative.
- Dried thyme – Adds an herbaceous flavor to the dish. You can substitute with dried rosemary, marjoram, or any other dried herbs you prefer.
- Garlic powder – Contributes a subtle garlic flavor.
- Salt and black pepper – To enhance the overall flavor of the chicken.
- Butter – Salted or unsalted butter will work.
- Yellow onion – White onion is a good alternative.
- Garlic – Feel free to substitute the fresh garlic for 2 extra teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Long-grain white rice – Basmati and Jasmine rice are perfect for this.
- Low-sodium chicken broth – Adds flavor to the rice and also cooks it. Chicken stock or vegetable broth is also acceptable.
- Italian seasoning – Use a mix of dried basil, oregano, and rosemary if Italian seasoning is not available.
- Dried oregano – Again, you can use dried basil, thyme, or marjoram instead.
- Fresh parsley – Adds a fresh finish to the dish.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice
It’s time to enjoy some good ol’ comfort food with this savory chicken thighs recipe, perfect for any family dinner. Follow these steps to create a wonderful meal that combines tender chicken with flavorful rice, all baked to a juicy perfection.
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Melt butter in a large skillet (or Dutch oven) over medium heat.
- Make the spice blend: Mix paprika, thyme, and garlic powder. Season the chicken with the blend and set it aside.
- Cook the aromatics: Sauté the garlic and onions in the skillet until the onions soften.
- Add rice: Stir in the rice and cook for 30 seconds to toast it.
- Add the chicken thighs: Top the rice with the seasoned chicken, chicken broth, and water.
- Season: Sprinkle the chicken with Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, and pepper, and bring everything to a boil.
- Bake: Cover the skillet (or use foil) and bake at 350˚F for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and continue to bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Serve: Remove it from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Fluff the rice, garnish with parsley, and serve it warm.
Recipe Tips And Variations
- Avoid using skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. It makes the rice greasy, which isn’t what we’re after.
- Using boneless chicken thighs is okay if that’s all you have. However, remember that they might be a little overcooked when the dish is ready. My only other recommendations would be chicken drumsticks or leg-quarters for this recipe. Chicken breasts will dry out too much while they’re in the oven, whereas the bone-in pieces help retain moisture.
- Use brown rice for a lighter option, but you’ll need to cook it for longer. Bake the dish covered for 45 minutes and then uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
We’ve already established that garlic butter chicken and rice is a meal in itself, but to boost this dish a bit further, consider pairing it with a tomato salad and vegetables seasoned with herbs.
Start with the delicious Heirloom tomato salad, and then make my grilled vegetables with halloumi! For yummy veggie sides, include the best garlic butter roasted parsnips and cheesy Brussels sprouts with bacon.
As far as soups go, this chicken doesn’t get much better than serving it with my cream of zucchini soup or this creamy tortellini soup.
Make It Ahead
You can prep this recipe two days in advance. Work up to the sixth step in the recipe, but don’t add the water and broth. Cover and refrigerate. Add the liquid on the day you’re going to bake it and serve it.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate any cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze it for 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
- To reheat it, preheat the oven to 350˚F and heat it for 15 to 20 minutes or until warm.
More One Pot Chicken Recipes
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Easy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
- Chicken Thighs with Rice
- Chicken Rice and Vegetable Skillet
- Wild Rice and Kale Chicken Casserole
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Recipe
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Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme, or any other dried herbs of your choice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups long grain white rice
- 1½ cups low-sodium, fat free chicken broth
- 1½ cups hot water
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
- Season the chicken thighs with paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper; set aside.
- Add the butter to a large oven-safe skillet and melt over medium heat. Stir in the diced onions and garlic; cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until the garlic is lightly browned, stirring very frequently. Do not burn the garlic.
- Stir in the rice; stir constantly for 30 seconds. Place the seasoned chicken pieces over the rice, and add the chicken broth and water.
- Season the top with Italian Seasoning and oregano, and bring to a boil. You can also add more salt and pepper at this point if you'd like.
- Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven; bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid or foil and continue to bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from oven and let it rest for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and fluff up the rice with a fork.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- Make ahead. Get a head start on this recipe by preparing up to step #6 a couple of days beforehand. Just hold off on the liquid until serving day. Adding it too early means the rice will soak it all up.
- Chicken options. This recipe is prepared with bone-in, skinless chicken thighs. Using anything other than what is suggested will have different results. Boneless chicken thighs will cook up faster, while boneless chicken breasts will cook through much quicker and will dry out. I also recommend removing the skin from the chicken thighs because the casserole will be greasy with the skin on.
- Rice varieties. This recipe uses long-grain white rice. If you want to use brown rice, increase the cooking time. Bake it covered for 45 minutes, and then uncover and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
This was AMAZING!! I halved the recipe and it still came out perfect!
I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
I love dishes like this and I canโt wait to try it! I only have 1 cup of rice on hand, would the liquid ratio be 2 cups? And do you think that will be enough rice for serving?
Hi!
Yep, 2 cups of liquid is all you’ll need. 1 cup of uncooked rice should be okay for 4 people. 1 cup long grain uncooked rice yields to about 3 1/2 cups cooked rice.
Hey, because of lockdown, I only have fusilli pasta, will it work the same with pasta instead of rice?
Thanks
Hi!
I have never tested this recipe with pasta so I can’t say that it will work.
Can u add veggie like frozen string bean or would they be over cooked
Hi!
I think if you put the beans in the pot while still frozen, it should turn out OK.
Katerina, I just made this and I had a feeling there was way too much liquid. Indeed. Not sure how others have not commented on this. I now have chicken soup. 3 cups of liquid for 1 1/2 cups of rice? But you say 2 cups is okay. This is very frustrating. I donโt see how anyone made this and it didnโt turn out like mine. Also the YouTube video now that I watched has very little liquid. Mine almost covered the chicken
Can I use chicken breast? Do I have to do anything differently?
Hi!
Cooking time is less for chicken breasts; I would suggest, after the initial 30 minutes, and after you remove the cover, to start checking for doneness about 7 to 10 minutes after.
Also, I do have this great chicken breasts & rice recipe on my other blog, if you’d like to take a look at that one: https://easyweeknightrecipes.com/chicken-and-rice-with-mushrooms/
Hope this helps. ๐
I just bought boneless thighs will that work? Should I put them in a little later so they donโt over cook?
Hi!
Yep, put them in later because they will definitely overcook if put in from the beginning. Also, brown the chicken thighs on the outside and then add them to the rice mixture.
This recipe worked perfectly for me. Gorgeous and delicious on my first try!!!!
As a fairly accomplished cook for 40 years, I get bored with my go-to recipes and am always looking for something new and easy. This was simply delicious! I have never written a recipe review before, but you certainly deserve it. The rice cooked perfectly and the chicken was moist and tender. I had thighs and breasts in the freezer, put the thighs around the edge and cut the breasts in same-size pieces and put them in the middle. The only changes I made were that I used all home-made stock instead of stock and water, added lemon pepper to the seasoning and omitted the Italian spices. I think it would be good with tarragon too.
Thank you so much for the great recipe!
Any way to adapt for Instant Pot?
This is definitely a keepsake. Tasted delicious and is easy to make. My daughter Who is not a rice lover ate it all up.
Has anyone tried red onion? Itโs all I have or should I leave out the onions.
LOVE this recipe and all the info!
The only suggestion I have is to PLEASE list ingredient amounts early in the narration. I was in somewhat of a time crunch the first time I made the recipe. It was very frustrating to finally find the amounts.
Great recipe though!
You can just โJump to Recipeโ at the very top of the page.