Welcome to a culinary journey that celebrates simplicity, flavor, and convenience. In our fast-paced lives, finding a meal that is both satisfying and quick to prepare can feel like a quest. Look no further! This Seasoned Chicken and Rice recipe is designed to be your go-to for busy weeknights, offering a savory experience with minimal fuss. Crafted by the talented Julia Pacheco, this dish promises a delightful blend of tender chicken and aromatic wild rice, making it a household favorite.

Imagine coming home after a long day and knowing that a delicious, homemade meal is just minutes away. This recipe delivers exactly that. With simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients, you can create a wholesome dish that satisfies everyone at the table. We’ll guide you through each step, ensuring that even novice cooks can achieve perfect results. Get ready to transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that’s packed with flavor and comfort.

Seasoned Chicken and Rice

By: Julia Pacheco

Simple, savory, and incredibly satisfying, this one-pan chicken and rice dinner is an absolute winner for busy weeknights. It combines perfectly seasoned chicken with a flavorful wild rice blend for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

Servings: 4 servings

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About This Delicious Chicken and Rice Dish

This Seasoned Chicken and Rice recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a testament to the fact that incredibly delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor achieved with a few key seasonings. We start with tender chicken breasts, expertly sliced to ensure quicker cooking and maximum tenderness, then generously coat them in a savory blend of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This seasoning creates a beautiful crust and infuses the chicken with an irresistible aroma.

Paired with a classic long grain and wild rice blend, this meal becomes a symphony of textures and tastes. The wild rice adds a delightful chewiness and earthy notes that complement the robust chicken. While the rice cooks separately according to package directions, the chicken is pan-seared to golden perfection, locking in its juices and creating a dish that feels both comforting and gourmet. It’s the perfect answer for those evenings when you crave a hearty meal but have limited time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful meal. All components are readily available, making your trip to the grocery store a breeze. We focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients to ensure the best flavor. Don’t hesitate to adjust the seasoning to your personal preference!

For the Chicken:

• 2 medium-sized chicken breasts
• 1 tbs olive oil
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper

For the Rice:

• 1 box Rice-A-Roni long grain and wild rice (or your preferred long grain and wild rice mix)

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple instructions to prepare your mouth-watering Seasoned Chicken and Rice. Each step is designed to be straightforward, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience from start to finish. Pay attention to the details for perfectly cooked chicken and fluffy rice.

1. Prepare the Rice: In a medium-sized pot, prepare the Rice-A-Roni long grain and wild rice according to the package directions. This usually involves boiling water, adding the rice and seasoning packet, and simmering until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Once cooked, set it aside.

2. Prepare the Chicken: Take the two medium-sized chicken breasts and carefully slice each one horizontally to create two thinner cutlets from each breast. This technique will yield four thinner chicken pieces, which helps them cook much quicker and more evenly. Additionally, thinner pieces absorb more flavor from the seasonings and result in a more tender bite. Once sliced, pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season generously on both sides with the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece is well coated for maximum flavor.

3. Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken breasts to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side. The goal is to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and ensure the chicken is cooked through. To be certain, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes before serving; this allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful.

4. Serve: Once the chicken has rested, you can slice it into strips or serve the cutlets whole alongside the prepared wild rice. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or asparagus for a complete and balanced meal. Enjoy your delicious, homemade Seasoned Chicken and Rice!

Tips for Perfection and Variations

To elevate your Seasoned Chicken and Rice, consider these tips and variations. They’ll help you customize the dish to your liking and ensure consistently delicious results every time.

Pro Tips:

• Pat Chicken Dry: Before seasoning, always pat your chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture, allowing for a better sear and a crispier, more flavorful exterior.
• Even Slicing: When slicing the chicken breasts horizontally, try to make the pieces as uniform as possible. This ensures they cook at the same rate, preventing some pieces from becoming overcooked while others are still raw.
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: If you have a smaller pan, cook the chicken in batches. Crowding the pan can lower the temperature, leading to steaming instead of searing, which prevents that desirable golden-brown crust.
• Rest the Chicken: After cooking, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes on a cutting board before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more tender and moist chicken.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste the seasoning blend before applying (if it contains no raw ingredients like fresh garlic). Feel free to adjust the ratios of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to suit your personal preference.

Delicious Variations:

• Add Vegetables: For an all-in-one pan meal, sauté diced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms in the same pan after cooking the chicken (or before, removing them briefly) and then stir them into the rice, or serve them on the side.
• Different Rice Varieties: While Rice-A-Roni long grain and wild rice offers a specific flavor, feel free to experiment with other rice types. Basmati, jasmine, or even brown rice can be used; just follow their respective package directions for cooking.
• Spicier Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to your chicken seasoning blend.
• Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley can be added to the chicken seasoning or sprinkled over the finished dish for an extra layer of aroma and flavor.
• Chicken Thighs: If you prefer dark meat, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts. Adjust cooking time as thighs may take slightly longer, but they offer a rich, juicy alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about this recipe, providing helpful insights to make your cooking experience even better.

Q: Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can slice and season the chicken breasts a few hours in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator. This can help the flavors meld even more. However, for best results, cook the chicken just before serving.

Q: What kind of pan should I use for cooking the chicken?

A: A cast-iron skillet or any heavy-bottomed pan that retains heat well is ideal for searing chicken. This ensures an even cook and a nice crust.

Q: Can I use pre-cooked rice?

A: Absolutely! If you have leftover cooked rice or prefer to use instant rice, you can certainly do so. Just make sure to heat it thoroughly before serving with the chicken.

Q: What are some good side dishes to pair with this meal?

A: This dish is incredibly versatile. Beyond steamed vegetables, a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette, roasted root vegetables, or even a simple corn on the cob would make excellent accompaniments.

Q: How can I make this a true one-pan meal?

A: While this recipe keeps the rice cooking separate for simplicity, if you want a true one-pan experience, you could potentially use a rice that cooks directly in the pan with liquid. However, this would require adjusting liquid amounts and cooking times significantly, and might not be suitable for the Rice-A-Roni blend as it’s designed for boiling.