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Easy One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice

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Tender, juicy chicken thighs and perfectly fluffy rice are cooked together in a rich garlic butter sauce, all in one pan. This foolproof recipe delivers a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs or 680g)
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
  • 2 ½ cups (590ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: zest of ½ lemon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear; drain. Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted and shimmering, place chicken skin-side down. Sear undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until deep golden brown. Flip and sear other side for 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sauté onion for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add rinsed rice to skillet. Stir and toast for 2 minutes until nutty and crackling.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and add dried thyme. Stir, scraping up browned bits from bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Nestle chicken thighs skin-side up on top of rice. Cover skillet with lid or foil.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) internally.
  8. Let rest covered for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff rice with a fork, garnish with parsley and lemon zest if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, do not skip rinsing the rice or patting the chicken dry. Resist lifting the lid during baking. If rice is still crunchy after 30 minutes, add ¼ cup hot broth, cover, and bake 5-7 more minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan chicken and rice, garlic butter chicken, easy weeknight dinner, chicken thighs, one-pot meal

Find it online: https://cookdella.com/easy-one-pan-garlic-butter-chicken-and-rice/