One Pan Mediterranean Chicken And Rice
A delightful one-pan dish combining tender chicken, aromatic spices, and fluffy rice, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Spices and Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
Main Ingredients
- 2 pieces chicken breasts (sliced) Yields 4 pieces
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup rice (rinsed and soaked in water for 30 minutes)
- 2 and 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf bay leaf
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp lemon juice (additional)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic (finely chopped)
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all necessary ingredients and chop the onion and garlic finely.
- In a bowl, rub chicken with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, and turmeric. Let it marinate for 15 minutes to enhance flavor.
Cooking
- In a large pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan. Sear until golden brown on both sides, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add the soaked rice to the pan, stirring to combine with the chicken and aromatics.
- Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, stirring gently. Add the bay leaf and cinnamon stick for added flavor.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, add frozen peas to the mixture and stir gently. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Discard the bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
Notes
For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. Soaking the rice helps make it fluffy by reducing cooking time. Feel free to mix in other vegetables, such as diced tomatoes or bell peppers.