Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

Made entirely in the oven (no stove!), the rice in this recipe is outrageously delicious! It's buttery and garlicky, tender but not mushy. The secret tip is to briefly bake onion with garlic and butter before adding the rice, liquids and chicken - it adds a great flavour base!
Servings: 5 yield(s)
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 70 mins
Total Time: 80 mins
Ingredients
  • 5 bone in chicken thigh fillets, peel skin OFF
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp (30g) butter
  • 1 1/2 cup (270g) uncooked white rice
  • 1 1/2 cup (375 ml) chicken broth/stock
  • 1 1/4 cup (315 ml) water
  • Chicken rub
  • 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
  1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
  2. 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).
  3. Meanwhile, mix together Chicken Rub. Sprinkle on both sides of the chicken.
  4. Remove baking dish from the oven. Add rice then mix.
  5. Place chicken on rice. Then pour chicken broth and water around the chicken.
  6. 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.
  7. Stand for 5 minutes, then remove chicken and fluff up rice. Garnish with parsley or thyme if desired, serve and enjoy!
  8. Optional gravy
  9. 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).