This oven baked Chicken and Rice recipe has captured the hearts of people all around the world! Buttery garlic rice AND juicy seasoned baked chicken thighs, baked together in the same pan with less than 10 minutes of prep.
The rice absorbs the chicken juices as it cooks, adding loads of flavour. It’s like cooking the rice with a homemade stock!
Chicken and rice recipe
This chicken and rice recipe has been a reader favourite for so long, I thought it was about time I updated it with a much improved video and photos!
Readers tell me they love it because:
it’s a one pan dinner – the raw rice and chicken are cooked together at the same time;
completely hands off – unlike cooking rice on the stove which requires more attention, you just put the pan in the oven, set the timer and walk away;
quick to prepare – active prep time is under 10 minutes; and
it’s very, very delicious!
The chicken is ultra tasty….but the star of this recipe is the garlic butter rice!
So here’s what you get in this chicken and rice recipe – juicy seasoned chicken….
…. AND fluffy rice. GARLIC BUTTER rice, at that!
(And PS, to all the fellow rice snobs out there – this rice is fluffy and perfectly cooked, not soggy and mushy like you’d expect. The trick is to pour HOT liquids over the uncooked rice – gives it a big head start in the oven!)
What you need for this baked Chicken and Rice
Here’s what you need:
Skin on, bone in chicken thighs is best for this recipe because they take the same length of time to cook in the oven as the rice – 50 minutes in total. However, we remove the skin because otherwise the fat drips down into the rice as it cooks which makes it overly greasy. It’s easy – it’s effortless and takes 5 seconds flat per chicken.
Uncooked white rice – any “normal” white rice will work just fine here (plain, long grain, short grain, Jasmin, basmati). Steer clear of speciality rices like paella or risotto rice – they cook differently in the oven. Brown rice just needs more liquid and to be cooked a bit longer – directions are in the recipe;
Chicken seasoning – feel free to use any seasoning you’ve got on hand, pre mixed, or switch up the spices I’ve used;
Butter, garlic & onion flavour base – this forms the flavour base for the rice and because this recipe is all about convenience, we “oven saute” them – fancy word for just throw it all in a pan and bake instead of sautéing on the stove! See photos below and the quick recipe video.
How to make chicken and rice in the oven
And here’s how to make it. The first 2 steps shown below is the “oven sautéing” of the onion and garlic referred to above. This is what gives the rice the amazing buttery garlic flavour!
The rice is outrageously good. It’s buttery and garlicky, it’s tender but not mushy (I’m of Japanese background, all Asians are snobs when it comes to rice). It’s got all the flavour from the juices of the chicken and you get crispy bits on the edges that I just want to pick off and have all to myself!
What to serve with chicken and rice
Add a big leafy salad on the side with a salad dressing of choice (Balsamic Dressing and Honey Mustard Dressing are on heavy rotation in my life these days). Or add some steamed vegetables and toss with a salad dressing while hot – they’ll suck up the dressing and make otherwise rather dull steamed vegetables infinitely more interesting!
Oh – and in the video, you’ll see this 4 Minute Gravy as a suggested extra. You don’t need a sauce for this because the rice is so well flavoured and the chicken is juicy. But if you have the time, gravy will take it over the top!
Dinner just got real easy. Enjoy! – Nagi xx
Watch how to make it
Oven Baked Chicken and Rice recipe video!
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Oven Baked Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 5 bone in chicken thigh fillets, peel skin OFF , (Note 1)
- 1 onion , chopped (brown, white or yellow)
- 2 cloves garlic (large) , minced
- 2 tbsp (30g) butter (or olive oil)
- 1 1/2 cups (270g) uncooked white rice (Note 3)
- 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) chicken broth/stock , hot (I microwave)
- 1 1/4 cups (315 ml) water , hot (tap is fine)
Chicken Rub (Note 2):
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Optional garnish:
- Oil spray
- Fresh thyme leaves or finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
- Scatter onion and garlic in a baking dish (about 10 x 15″ / 25 x 35 cm), then place butter in the centre. Bake for 15 minutes (check at 12 minutes, mix if some bits are browning too much).
- Meanwhile, mix together Chicken Rub. Sprinkle on both sides of the chicken.
- Remove baking dish from the oven. Add rice then mix.
- Place chicken on rice. Then pour chicken broth and water around the chicken.
- Cover with foil, then bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, spray chicken with oil (optional, gives chicken nicer finish), then bake for a further 20 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
- Stand for 5 minutes, then remove chicken and fluff up rice. Garnish with parsley or thyme if desired, serve and enjoy!
Optional gravy
- Dish is flavoured enough to serve without sauce, but if you want to take it over the top, make this quick Gravy in 4 minutes flat (pictured in video).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Oven Baked Chicken and Rice originally published March 2019, updated April 2020 with improved photos, videos and step photos added. No change to recipe – I wouldn’t dare, readers love it as is!
More popular Chicken and Rice recipes
Life of Dozer
He was squinting, so I lent him my sunglasses 😂
And flashback to the original publication date of this recipe, back when Dozer was recovering from a knee operation:
Caved and splurged on a ramp – got tired of heaving a 40kg/80lb dog in and out of the car multiple times a day…..
Oh goodness! This recipe was perfection. I made it exactly as directed (well, doubled the garlic) in a cast iron skillet. I could not believe how simple and delicious it was. I cannot wait to make it for friends and family! Thank you!
Hi, I want to make this with brown basmati rice & boneless chicken breast/thighs. Is the bake time before adding chicken the same? Also, how long to cook after adding chicken to brown rice? Thanks and I looking forward to making this!
This was really good just as you presented it. I didn’t change anything and my family only gave its praises. I love the flavor of sauteing the onions and garlic in the oven stepped up the flavor profile. Thank you for sharing.
I have made this 3 times in a week. Each time using a different spice rub or herbs and it’s been amazing every time! I’m making it as a single serving with just 2 drumsticks or a Maryland and it’s been so easy.
Made this first time tonight and after the 30 minutes mark, our home was filled with the most delicious aroma that one can imagine! Insanely delicious, definitely on our weeknights rotation. Thanks so much Nagi for this incredible rice dish.🥰
I don’t know what I did wrong, but I had to increase the cooking time for another half hour to get the chicken cooked all the way. I followed the recipe exactly and the rice was flavorless and bland. I like the theory of this recipe (one pan) but next time I’m going to have to up the spices in either the rice or on the chicken.
Hi Nagi!
I love your recipes. However these one pan meals with rice cooked in the dish never seem to work out for me. The rice is cooked around the outside, but the rice in the middle is not cooked at all. I cook in a cast iron dish as that’s all I have. I’m not sure where I go wrong. I would love your input if you have any thoughts.
Thank you for sharing!
This is sooooooo good! My former mother in law made something similar and for a lot of years, I was beating myself up because I didn’t ask for the recipe while I was married to her son. Thank you so much!
Well I am glad that you have found another version you like Jeannette!! N x
Loved the recipe especially the seasoning. Smelled so good. I had boneless, skinless thighs and brown rice so read your notes, but miscalculated using 3/4 cup too much liquid. Would’ve been perfect if my math was better. Will definitely make again. Son loved it too!
That’s fantastic Sue! I am glad that you liked the dish – even with the extra liquid!! N x
I made this tonight with homemade tortillas …(also my first time making those)
It was amazing! Definitely making again! Thank you .. it was stunning and soooo easy!
Very similar to a Mediterranean Cooking Book 📖 my Family Was Given a While Back. Can’t Wait to Taste this Recipe | Looks Blessed 👌🏻👍🏻
Very similar to a recipe from Mediterranean Book that was given to my Family | This recipe is currently in the oven and can’t wait for the taste test, Blessed! 👌🏻👍🏻
Hi there, I found this recipe online and would love to try it. However, I do not have a 10×15 pan. A quick search on Amazon shows many pans measuring 10×15 include the handles in the measurements. The actual baking size ends up being closer to 9×13. I noticed in the photos, your pan also has handles. Is the 10×15 recommended size including the handles in the measurements? Can you suggest a brand of pan that has the correct measurements? Thanks!
Hi sorry for jumping in … I used a rectangle glass 9” x 11” .. worked for me and was still wonderful
I didn’t see your note about using multiple pans when making more. I did double the ingredients. Should I add more cooking time?
That’s great to know Selena! Thanks for that feedback! N x
Hi Rachel – mine is actually 10×15 not including the handles. They are commonly sold here at kitchen shops. You could also use a similar sized roasting pan for this dish – I have tested it successfully in a metal one. N x
family hates onions but i have onion powder or maybe i could puree the onion, thoughts?
You could try pureeing it Pilar, but the flavour will be stronger than chopped so use a bit less! N x
One of my favs. Made many times and always comes out superb. I’m making again tonight but with bone in checkin breasts.
I am making this dish for dinner. My question is can I used a 13 x 9 in pan;: I don’t know a 10 x 15 casserole.
I use a pan slightly larger than 9×13 so that the broth is shallower and the rice cooks fully. You can try a 9×13 but it might take a bit longer to cook. N x
I made this following the regular recipe with skinless boneless thighs (I didn’t see the other instructions) and short grain sushi rice, and it was perfect! I will definitely be making this again and checking out her other recipes! Thank you!
Woo hoo!! I am glad that you liked it Holly and welcome to RecipeTin!! N x
I tried this recipe and the chicken was moist and the rice was delicious however the thighs did not have the nice browned crust as shown in your pics. My chicken looked rather white and unappealing. Is this because I have an electric oven? Is there a recommendation on how to make my chicken to look nicer?
An electric oven shouldn’t be a problem Elaine. Do you have a top element in your oven? Was it on? Did you spray the chicken to help it brown? Ovens can vary so you might need to play with settings on yours to find what works best! N x
Made this tonight using drumsticks – so easy and the flavour in the rice is amazing.
I’m new here but will be looking for more recipes after trying this amazing dish. It was so simple and it turned out great. I’ve never had rice turn out so good and buttery. Thank you for sharing