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Easy One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice

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A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring seared chicken thighs and fluffy rice cooked in a rich, glossy garlic butter sauce. This dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
  • 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1.5 to 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh lemon juice (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter. Once melted and foaming, add chicken thighs and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  4. Add uncooked rice to the pan. Stir in the butter and garlic mixture for 1-2 minutes until rice edges become translucent.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. Return chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them into the rice. Ensure liquid just covers the rice.
  6. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  7. Remove pan from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes to allow rice to finish absorbing liquid.
  8. Remove lid, fluff rice with a fork, chop chicken into bite-sized pieces, and stir in dried parsley. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Notes

Do not lift the lid during the simmering stage to ensure the rice steams properly. If using chicken breasts, reduce cooking time slightly as they dry out faster. For a dairy-free option, swap butter for olive oil. The recipe is naturally gluten-free if using certified gluten-free broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan dinner, garlic butter chicken, chicken and rice, easy weeknight meals, comfort food, gluten-free dinner, skillet meals

Find it online: https://bakebeam.com/easy-one-pan-garlic-butter-chicken-and-rice-2/