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One-Pot Chicken and Rice in a Dutch oven with golden chicken thighs

One-Pot Chicken and Rice

This One-Pot Chicken and Rice is cozy, flavorful, and incredibly easy—a comforting classic that turns simple ingredients into a warm, satisfying dinner. Juicy chicken thighs simmer over fluffy, seasoned rice for the ultimate weeknight favorite.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, One-Pot Meal
Cuisine: American, Latin Inspired
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • chicken thighs bone-in or boneless
  • olive oil or butter for browning chicken
  • salt, pepper, paprika for seasoning chicken
  • garlic powder or onion powder
Rice & Aromatics
  • long-grain rice basmati or jasmine
  • onion diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • chicken broth or stock
  • bay leaf optional
Flavor Boosters
  • turmeric optional for golden color
  • smoked paprika
  • fresh parsley or cilantro for serving
  • lemon wedges for serving
Optional Add-ins
  • peas, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes optional vegetables

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven or Heavy Pot

Method
 

  1. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Heat oil in a pot and sear chicken skin-side down until golden and crisp.
  2. Remove chicken. Add diced onions and garlic to the same pot and sauté until fragrant and golden.
  3. Add dry rice and toast for 1–2 minutes to deepen flavor and prevent mushiness.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Return seared chicken thighs to the pot, placing them on top of the rice. Cover and reduce heat.
  6. Simmer for 20–25 minutes until rice is fluffy and chicken is tender and cooked through.
  7. Fluff rice with a fork, add a squeeze of lemon, and garnish with parsley. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Add saffron for a more classic Arroz Con Pollo flavor. Use coconut oil to make it dairy-free. For brown rice, increase broth and extend cook time.