Chicken and rice (one pan!)

Introduction

This recipe came about because I wanted a complete dinner that I could simply throw into one dish and leave in the oven with very little hands-on work. With succulent chicken, rice and plenty of vegetables, it combines protein, carbohydrates and vegetables in one fuss-free meal perfect for a midweek family dinner.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Materials

500–600 g chicken legs
100 g basmati rice
1 tbsp honey Dijon mustard
A drizzle of olive oil, for the chicken
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground turmeric
Zest of ½ lemon
1 low-salt vegetable stock cube
500 ml boiling water, divided into 300 ml and 200 ml
500 g frozen mixed vegetables—I use peas, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, optional

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan.
Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold running water, then spread it evenly across the bottom of a baking dish.
Arrange the chicken legs on top of the rice. Drizzle them with olive oil and rub with the honey Dijon mustard. Sprinkle the garlic powder, turmeric and lemon zest over the chicken and rice. Season with salt and pepper, if using.
Dissolve the vegetable stock cube in 300 ml boiling water, then carefully pour the stock into the baking dish.
Cover the dish with a sheet of damp baking parchment, followed by a tight layer of foil. Bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the dish from the oven and carefully take off the foil and baking parchment.
Add the frozen vegetables around the chicken, pour in the remaining 200 ml boiling water, and gently stir the vegetables into the rice without disturbing the chicken too much.
Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 30 minutes.

Discussion

This is a genuinely a fuss-free dish. It takes a little time in the oven, but the hands-on preparation is minimal and everything cooks together in one pan. The chicken comes out tender and succulent, making it ideal for younger or fussier eaters, while the rice is crispy on top and soft and moist underneath. With vegetables already included, it is an easy solution for busy evenings when you want a complete, comforting family meal without creating a mountain of washing-up! Enjoy!