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One Pan Tomato Basil Chicken served with rice and fresh basil leaves

One Pan Tomato Basil Chicken and Rice

A flavorful and simple one-pan dish combining chicken thighs, rice, and aromatic herbs, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 6 pieces chicken thighs, skin on and bone in
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 pieces onion, diced
  • 1 pieces red bell pepper, deseeded and chopped
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomato strips in oil, chopped (optional) Optional ingredient for extra flavor
  • 1 1/3 cup long grain rice, uncooked and rinsed Arborio rice may also be used
  • 14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes with liquid
  • 1 3/4 cup chicken broth or chicken stock
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped For garnishing
  • 1 pinch fresh basil, extra chopped, to serve For garnishing

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees C (400 degrees F).
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep ovenproof cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken, skin side down, and sear for 3 to 4 minutes until golden.
  4. Turn the thighs and sear until beautifully golden all over before transferring them to a warm plate.
  5. In the same pan, add the garlic and fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  6. Toss in the onion and red bell pepper, frying for about 3 minutes until the onion is transparent.
Cooking
  1. Stir in the optional sun-dried tomatoes, rice, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth. Season with salt, pepper, and dried basil. Bring everything to a simmer.
  2. Place the chicken thighs, skin side up, over the rice mixture. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
  3. If the rice has not cooked fully, add a little extra water.
  4. Remove the cover, switch to broil setting, and broil for an additional 8 to 10 minutes until the chicken is crispy.
  5. Before serving, season with extra salt and garnish with freshly chopped basil.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken thighs in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for an hour before cooking. You can skip the broiling step for a quicker preparation.