Chef John’s Chicken and Rice recipe is the perfect solution if you’re in the mood for a home-cooked meal. This dish is hearty and filling but comes together in just a few simple steps. So, if you’re looking for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner, give this recipe a try.
Start by marinating chicken and refrigerate it for eight hours—Cook rice in unsalted butter and chicken broth-saffron mixture for 15 minutes. Roast the prepared casserole : mix yogurt, chopped veggies, salt, and water in a bowl.
Serve the chicken and rice with sauce. If you want to add some vegetables, you can add frozen peas or sauté mushrooms after the chicken and before the onions.
Let us now dive into the hearty recipe of Chef John’s chicken and rice. While scrolling down, you will learn about the necessary equipment, ingredients and steps to make this recipe more delicious. Check other Chef John’s recipes here.
Other Chef John’s Recipe That You Can Try
- Chef John’s Salmon Cakes
- Chef John’s Perfect Prime Rib
- Chef John’s Pecan Pie
- Chef John’s Mashed Potatoes
- Chef John’s Buttermilk Biscuits
- Chef John’s Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
- Chef John’s Stuffed Pepper
- Chef John’s Au Jus
- Chef John’s Gazpacho
- Chef John’s Meatballs
What Equipment Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Chicken And Rice?
- Oven – Roast the chicken rice casserole in the oven for about an hour until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Casserole Dish – Roast the recipe in a casserole dish after adding the rice, chicken and sauce layers.
- Mixing Bowls – Prepare the yogurt mixture and chicken broth-saffron mixture in two separate mixing bowls.
- Whisk – Whisk the plain yogurt, lime zest, juice, and different spices in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
- Knife – Slice the green onion and cut the chicken breasts into pieces to make it easier to chew and more tender.
- Chopping Board – Place the chopping board under the ingredients before chopping them to avoid mess.
- Spatula – Toss the chicken pieces into the yogurt mixture with a flat-surfaced spatula until the bits are well coated.
- Mortar – Grind saffron in a mortar into fine powder to add to the chicken broth.
- Cling Film – Wrap the marinated chicken meat with a plastic cling film and refrigerate it for eight hours.
How Much Time Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Chicken And Rice?
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Minutes | 8 Hours 45 Minutes | 9 Hours 15 Minutes |
What Ingredients Will You Need To Make Chef John’s Chicken And Rice?
For The Marinade
- Chicken – Marinate the chicken breast pieces into the yogurt mixture and roast them until the chicken is no longer pink in the centers and the juices run clear.
- Plain Yogurt – Plain Yogurt will add a light, airy, tart, and tangy flavor with a slightly sour taste to the chicken.
- Lime – Add lime zest and juice to the yogurt for an acidic taste with a hint of sweetness.
- Kosher Salt – Add kosher salt to enhance the flavor instead of making it salty.
- Ground Paprika – Ground paprika will add a sweet and peppery taste to the yogurt.
- Ground Cumin – Use ground cumin in the recipe to add instant depth to the dish.
- Ground Coriander – Coriander will add a fresh citrusy taste with a strong aroma to the chicken.
- Cayenne Pepper – Add some cayenne pepper while making the yogurt mixture for a hot and fruity flavor.
- Ground White Pepper – White pepper gives off spicy heat with an earthy and musty flavor.
- Ground Cardamom – Add cardamom to the yogurt mix for a citrusy and sweeter taste.
- Ground Cinnamon – Adding cinnamon to the yogurt mixture will aid sweet and woody flavor, with a slight citrusy note.
For The Rice
- Chicken Broth – Add chicken broth to the saffron powder for a mild savory flavor to enhance the recipe’s taste.
- Unsalted Butter – Add butter to make rice taste buttery and richer, making the rice soften.
- Saffron – Grind saffron and add to the chicken broth for a sweet and floral taste.
- Basmati Rice – Use basmati rice as it has a light and fluffy texture with a unique and slightly nutty taste.
- Olive Oil – Drizzle the chicken rice casserole with olive oil to help the roast to brown evenly.
- Salt – Add salt to enhance the flavors of the ingredients.
- Kosher Salt – Add kosher salt to enhance the flavor instead of making it salty.
For The Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- Plain Yogurt – Plain Yogurt will add tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Green onions – Thinly slice the green onions to make the sauce, adding a sharp, spicy, and peppery flavor.
- Garlic – Finely mince the garlic to make the sauce for an intense flavor.
- Mint – Add chopped mint to the sauce to give the tongue a sweet and cool effect.
- Cilantro – Add finely chopped cilantro to the sauce to give a fresh and citrusy taste.
- Salt – Add salt to enhance the flavors of the ingredients.
- Water – Add water to thicken the sauce and will add flavor.
Steps To Make Chef John’s Chicken And Rice
1. Let’s Set Go
Thinly slice green onions and finely chop mint and cilantro. Cut washed and drained chicken into eight pieces and keep it aside.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Marinade The Chicken
Add plain yogurt, lime zest, juice, salt, and different spices in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine well.
Make one cut into each piece of chicken meat down to the bone. Toss the chicken into the yogurt mixture very thoroughly. Wrap the chicken meat with plastic cling film and refrigerate it for 8 hours or overnight.
3. Behind The Chicken
Grind saffron strings in a mortar with a pestle, pour chicken broth and stir to combine.
Now boil unsalted butter, salt, remaining cups of chicken broth and chicken broth-saffron mixture in a saucepan. Add basmati rice to the mix and stir to combine for 15 minutes. Once cooked, keep it aside and rest for 10 minutes.
4. Chicken Rice Casserole
Transfer cooked rice into the prepared casserole dish and gently spread it into an even layer using a spatula. Place the refrigerated chicken pieces, skin-side up, on top of the rice. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt over the top.
Roast it in the oven until the chicken is no longer pink in the centers and the juices run clear for about 45 minutes.
5. It’s Almost Done
Meanwhile, mix the remaining yogurt, minced garlic, chopped green onions, mint, cilantro, salt, and water for the sauce. Refrigerate it until it is needed. Serve the chicken and rice and top with prepared sauce.
Nutritional Information
| Calories | 362 kcal |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Carbohyderates | 32 g |
| Protein | 24 g |
| Cholesterol | 72 mg |
| Sodium | 1126 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Potassium | 265 mg |
| Calcium | 72 mg |
How Will Chef John’s Chicken And Rice Look And Taste Like?
Chef John’s chicken and rice recipe is delicious! The flavors of the chicken, rice, and vegetables combine to create a mouthwatering dish that is perfect for any meal. Moreover, the rice is rich and flavorful, while the chicken is tender, and the whole dish comes together almost effortlessly.
Recipe Card
Chef John’s Chicken And Rice Recipe
Equipment
- Oven
- Casserole Dish
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Spatula
- Mortar
- Cling film
Ingredients
For The Marinade
- 1 Whole Chicken (cut into eight pieces)
- ⅓ cup Plain Yogurt
- 1 medium Lime (zested and juiced)
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Ground Coriander
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Ground White Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
For The Rice
- 1 ½ cups Basmati Rice
- 2 ¼ cups Chicken Broth (divided)
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 pinch Saffron
For The Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- ½ cup Plain Yogurt
- 2 cloves Garlic (crushed)
- 2 tablespoons Green Onions (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons Mint (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Cilantro (finely chopped)
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Water
Instructions
- Thinly slice green onions and finely chop mint and cilantro. Cut washed and drained chicken into eight pieces and keep it aside.
- Add plain yogurt, lime zest, juice, and spices in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine well.
- Make one cut into each piece of chicken meat down to the bone. Toss the chicken into the yogurt mixture very thoroughly.
- Wrap the chicken meat with plastic cling film and refrigerate it for 8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Grind saffron strings in a mortar with a pestle, pour chicken broth and stir to combine.
- Now boil unsalted butter, salt, remaining cups of chicken broth and chicken broth-saffron mixture in a saucepan.
- Add basmati rice to the mix and stir to combine for 15 minutes. Once cooked, put it aside and rest for 10 minutes.
- Transfer cooked rice into the prepared casserole dish and gently spread it into an even layer using a spatula.
- Place the refrigerated chicken pieces on top of the rice. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt.
- Roast it in the oven until the chicken is no longer pink in the centers and the juices run clear for about 45 minutes.
- Mix the remaining yogurt, minced garlic, chopped green onions, mint, cilantro, salt, and water for the sauce. Refrigerate it until it is needed. Serve the chicken and rice and top with sauce.
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use chicken breasts?
We recommend sticking to chicken thighs for this recipe, as chicken breasts dry out a bit when cooked, while the chicken thighs will make the dish nice and rich. You can make the recipe with chicken breasts, but it won’t be as juicy or tender as chicken thighs.
What to serve with chicken and rice?
You can serve the recipe with some roasted broccoli, as it is the perfect side because the roasted flavor matches the cosines of the chicken and rice, plus the simple flavor doesn’t compete, leaving the chicken and rice to shine. You could also serve it with steamed green beans, sautéed zucchini, or a simple salad.
What seasonings go best in rice?
Use garlic, thyme and parsley to add just enough flavor without overpowering. Cooking rice in the chicken broth will give you the most considerable flavor. Add salt at the end if you need it, but you may not with a flavorful broth.
Conclusion
Chef John’s Chicken and Rice is a simple and delicious dish that will please any comfort food lover. Be sure to try it the next time you’re in the mood for a hearty and satisfying meal. With a bit of preparation, this dish can be on your table in no time.
