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Kid-Approved One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice: Easy Dinner

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A simple, one-pan meal featuring tender chicken and fluffy rice infused with garlic butter. Perfect for busy weeknights, this kid-approved recipe delivers comfort food with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) long-grain white rice
  • 2 ½ cups (590ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup / 150g)
  • 1 cup (150g) frozen peas and carrots
  • ¼ cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Let sit at room temperature.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Once sizzling, sear chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté diced onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  4. Add rinsed and drained rice to the pan. Stir to coat and cook for 1-2 minutes until the rice smells nutty.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle boil. Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pan, including any juices. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
  6. Remove pan from heat. Sprinkle frozen peas and carrots over the top without stirring. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes.
  7. Remove lid, fluff rice with a fork, and stir in peas and carrots. Adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip rinsing the rice to prevent gumminess. Resist lifting the lid during simmering to ensure even cooking. Let the chicken sear undisturbed for a golden crust. For dairy-free, use vegan butter or olive oil. For lower carb, substitute cauliflower rice and reduce broth to 1 cup, cooking for 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan chicken and rice, garlic butter chicken, easy dinner, kid-friendly, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/kid-approved-one-pan-garlic-butter-chicken-and-rice-easy-dinner/