Mediterranean chicken and rice recipe with step-by-step photos and a recipe video. This one-pot chicken and rice is loaded with Mediterranean flavors. Easy and quick dinner recipe made with chicken breast, rice, onion, garlic, lemon, herbs and spices. You can make it within 30 minutes.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Main
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 4
Author: Preeti
Equipment
small mixing bowl
Heavy bottom pan/skillet
Ingredients
For the seasoning
½teaspoondried thyme
1teaspoondried oregano
1teaspoonground black pepper
1teaspoonground cumin
1teaspoongarlic powder
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonpaprika
½teaspoonturmeric powder
To marinate the chicken
2chicken breastsliced (gives you 4 pieces)
2teaspoonlemon juice
2teaspoonolive oil
4teaspoonof the seasoning
To make chicken and rice
2teaspoonolive oil
1onionfinely chopped
1teaspoongarlicfinely chopped
1cupricerinsed and soaked in water for 30 minutes
2 and ¼ cups of chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
1bay leaf
1-inchcinnamon
1teaspoonlemon juice
½cupfrozen peas
Instructions
Preparations
To make the seasoning - In a small mixing bowl combine thyme, oregano, ground black pepper, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, paprika and turmeric powder. Keep it aside.
Prep the chicken - Slice the chicken breast in half or you can pound the chicken breast too.
To marinate the chicken - Add 2 teaspoon of the prepared seasoning, lemon juice and oil to the chicken breast. Rub it gently on both sides. Marinate for 30 minutes.
Rinse the rice well with water 2-3 times. Soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain and keep it aside.
Chop onions and garlic and keep them aside.
To make Mediterranean chicken and rice
Heat 2 teaspoon of oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat.
Place the marinated chicken on the heated pan. Fry it for 2-3 minutes on each side. The chicken need not to be fully cooked. Remove it on a plate.
In the same pan, add onion and sauté until translucent.
Next, add garlic. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.
Add rice and 4 teaspoon of the seasoning. Sauté it for a minute.
Add chicken broth, bay leaf, cinnamon and lemon juice. Gently scrape the tiny bits sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more seasoning, if required.
Let the broth comes to a boil.
Add peas (optional).
Place the chicken back to the pan. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed by rice.
Once cooked, keep it covered for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with salad on side.
Video
Notes
Marinating the chicken to make it tender and juicy. Also, it enhances the flavor.
Rice to liquid ratio is important while cooking the rice. The instructions are given on the package for the rice to liquid ratio. Add water as per the brand of rice you are using. For cooking 1 cup of basmati rice, I have used 2 and ¼ cups of water.
Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid while cooking rice. Alternatively, you can cover it with aluminum foil.
Once the rice is cooked, remove it from heat and keep it covered for 10 minutes.
You can increase or decrease the quantity of seasoning to adjust the spice level.