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    Home » Chicken » One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice

    One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice

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    If you know anything about me, you know that I am a sucker for quick and easy weeknight meals. As a full-time working woman, these type of meals are a life-saver. But luckily, quick and easy does not have to mean bland and boring. One pot Spanish chicken and rice is packed with flavour, real ingredients and is full of vibrant colours that will make your heart sing.

    Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal. | aheadofthyme.com

    Spanish chicken and rice is quick because it only takes about 30 minutes to cook. It's easy because everything cooks in one single pot or skillet. That's right... this is a no fuss, no clean up dinner. From cutting board to pot to plate.

    Ingredients in Spanish Chicken and Rice

    To make the perfect weeknight meal, you will need to gather the following ingredients:

    • olive oil
    • chicken thighs - boneless and skinless, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
    • rice - long grain white rice
    • vegetables - onion, garlic, red bell pepper
    • tomato sauce
    • chicken stock
    • seasoning - paprika, saffron, salt and pepper
    • green olives - stuffed with pimento
    • cilantro
    • lemon wedges - optional for serving
    Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice

    Essentially, you cook your ingredients, one by one, in a skillet. Then, once all your ingredients have been added and tossed together in the skillet, you simply cover and let it cook on its own for 25 minutes. You don't have to monitor a thing. You don't even have to use this time to prepare side dishes because this dish, my friend, is an all-round wholesome and balanced meal. It's got your protein, it's got your grains, its got your veggies.

    Let me break down the easy steps for you.

    1. Start cooking the chicken. Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-6 minutes until chicken begins to slightly brown.
    2. Add vegetables. Add onion, red pepper and garlic and cook for a few minutes until start to soften.
    3. Add rice. Stir in rice and cook for a couple minutes.
    4. Add seasoning. Mix in the paprika and cook for one minute. Add chicken stock and tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat, add the saffron, cover and cook for 25 minutes until rice is fully cooked.
    5. Serve. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss in olives and cilantro, and serve with a lemon wedge.

    So basically while you wait for your chicken and rice to cook, the only thing that will be happening in your home is you sitting down, kicking your feet up while your mouth starts salivating from the amazing aromas that will be filling up your kitchen. Trust me on this one. So good.

    Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal. | aheadofthyme.com

    Spanish Rice with Chorizo

    You can also change things up and add some chorizo sausage to this dish. To do so, add 4 ounces of skinned and sliced chorizo to the pan once the chicken has been cooking for 2-3 minutes. Then cook the two together for another 2-3 minutes and follow the rest of the steps as set out in the recipe.

    Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Rice Recipes

    • One Pot Rice Pilaf with Carrots
    • 10-Minute Vegetarian Fried Rice
    • Easy Coconut Rice
    • 10-Minute Seafood Fried Rice
    • Teriyaki Grilled Salmon Rice Bowl

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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    Recipe

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    Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal. | aheadofthyme.com

    One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.9 from 31 reviews

    • Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings
    • Diet: Gluten Free
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    Description

    Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal.


    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or 1 lb.), cut into 1-2 inch pieces
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ medium onion, diced
    • 1 red bell pepper, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
    • 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
    • ½ tablespoon paprika
    • 1 + ½ cups chicken stock
    • 1 cup tomato sauce (canned or homemade)
    • pinch of saffron
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • ½ cup small stuffed green olives with pimento
    • ½ cup fresh chopped cilantro
    • lemon wedges, to serve (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large non-stick skillet or pot. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-6 minutes until chicken begins to slightly brown.
    2. Add onion, red pepper and garlic and cook for a few minutes until they slightly soften.
    3. Add the rice and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
    4. Mix in the paprika and continue to cook for another minute.
    5. Add chicken stock and tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low and add the saffron. Cover the skillet and cook for 25 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.
    6. Add salt and pepper to taste, olives and cilantro. Toss and serve with a lemon wedge.

    Notes

    How to add chorizo. You can also change things up and add some chorizo sausage to this dish. To do so, add 4 ounces of skinned and sliced chorizo to the pan once the chicken has been cooking for 2-3 minutes. Then cook the two together for another 2-3 minutes and follow the rest of the steps as set out in the recipe.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: Chicken
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Spanish

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Packed with flavour, real ingredients and vibrant colours, one pot Spanish chicken and rice is the perfect no fuss, no clean up weeknight meal. | aheadofthyme.com
    One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice
    49K Shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt says

      October 20, 2023 at 9:55 am

      Love this recipe! It was so good that we were able to use it to make the police officer overlook our arson charge. Next time I would use more formaldehyde. 10/10 would absolutely make again

      second personality here. Loved it. absolutely phenomenal. Replaced the chicken with beef and the rice with potatoes and it was amazing! would probably replace the onion and the pepper with celery and arugala next time around. Would recommend!!

      Reply
    2. Kelly says

      May 20, 2023 at 3:56 pm

      Love this recipe! I save it and come back to it regularly. Delicious and healthy and easy! I use chicken breast sometimes instead of thighs and it turns out great. I did however brown the meat separately first and then I added it back with the rice to keep the breast from drying out.

      Reply
    3. Sameera says

      March 23, 2023 at 2:22 pm

      I have made this recipe two or three times now, because it's so easy and it's always a hit with my daughter. However, I have tweaked it, a little and added sweet corn and black beans.
      Will try some of your other recipes...thank you!

      Reply
    4. Laur says

      January 22, 2023 at 3:52 pm

      Yum! Something a little different but still easy

      Reply
    5. Mads says

      December 08, 2022 at 5:16 am

      This looks amazing I'm so excited to make it! Quick question - what's the recommended storage and reheating for this recipe? My partner gets back super late from work and I want to be able to prep this during the day and so he can just warm up whenever he gets home.

      Reply
    6. Susan Marie says

      November 23, 2022 at 3:23 pm

      I have made this several times & it is addictive. First time I purchased saffron

      Reply
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