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If you’ve been craving a dish that feels like a warm hug and packs serious flavor, you’re going to love this One-Skillet Chicken Thighs with Butter Rice Recipe. This comforting meal keeps things wonderfully simple yet irresistibly tasty by bringing together crispy, golden chicken thighs nestled atop a bed of rich, buttery rice, all made in one pan for easy clean-up. It’s the kind of soul-satisfying dinner you’ll find yourself making again and again, especially when you want something hearty without a fuss in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial part in making the dish shine: from the crispy, seasoned chicken skin to the fluffy, buttery rice infused with savory herbs and spices. These simple pantry staples come together to create layers of flavor and irresistible textures.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: The star of the dish—crispy skin and juicy meat that locks in flavor.
- Olive oil or butter: Used for searing the chicken, these fats help develop that coveted golden crust.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning both the chicken and rice layers evenly.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle savory depth that complements both chicken and rice.
- Long grain white rice: This rice cooks up fluffy, soaking in all the buttery goodness around it.
- Chicken broth (or water plus bouillon): The flavorful cooking liquid that makes the rice rich and tender.
- Unsalted butter: Cranks up the richness and creates that silky texture in the rice.
- Paprika: Gives the chicken a smoky, slightly sweet kick and beautiful color.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant mix of herbs that lifts the entire dish with aromatic notes.
- Garlic salt: A small but flavor-packed punch to season the rice and chicken perfectly.
- Onion powder: Brings a mild onion flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
How to Make One-Skillet Chicken Thighs with Butter Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken thighs dry—this step is key for crispy skin. Season them generously on both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. These spices infuse the chicken with deep, savory flavor and help create that irresistible, golden crust you’ll be craving.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil or butter in your skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Place the chicken skin-side down and let it cook without moving for about 6 to 7 minutes. This slow sear crisps the skin perfectly. Flip the thighs and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, then transfer the chicken to a plate while you prepare the rice.
Step 3: Toast the Rice in Butter
In the same skillet, add the butter and let it melt completely. Stir in your rice, coating every grain with that buttery, flavorful base. Toasting the rice for 2 to 3 minutes draws out its nutty aroma and ensures every bite holds deliciousness.
Step 4: Add Broth and Nestle Chicken
Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine and scraping up all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Then nestle your chicken thighs directly into the rice mixture, skin-side up, allowing them to cook gently alongside the rice as everything simmers.
Step 5: Simmer and Cook Through
Reduce the heat to low, cover your skillet, and let the magic happen for 20 to 25 minutes. During this time, the rice soaks up all the buttery broth, and the chicken finishes cooking to juicy perfection. You’re aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s safe and tender.
Step 6: Rest and Finish
Once cooked, remove the skillet from heat but keep it covered for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the rice to fluff up. For an extra touch, sprinkle some dried parsley or drizzle melted butter on top before serving to make it feel just that much more special.
How to Serve One-Skillet Chicken Thighs with Butter Rice Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a light dusting of paprika brightens up the appearance and flavors of this dish wonderfully. For an extra indulgent touch, a small pat of butter melting on top of the hot chicken and rice adds richness and shine that’s impossible to resist.
Side Dishes
This one-skillet meal shines on its own, but for variety, consider serving it with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon and olive oil. Roasted or steamed green vegetables like broccoli or asparagus also add fresh texture and color contrast to the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, serve the chicken thighs on a large platter with the butter rice piled alongside and garnished with bright herbs and lemon wedges. Another idea is to scoop the rice into individual bowls topped with a single crispy chicken thigh for an elegant yet cozy presentation that feels restaurant-worthy but homemade.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any remaining chicken and butter rice in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. The meal will keep its flavor and texture for up to 3 days, making it an excellent choice for easy lunches or quick dinners after a busy day.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but for best results, keep the rice and chicken separate if possible. Store both in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating rice to prevent it from drying out. Cover the dish while warming to keep the chicken juicy and the rice moist and buttery.
FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely, boneless thighs will work fine. Just adjust cooking time slightly since boneless chicken cooks faster than bone-in. Keep an eye on the internal temperature to avoid overcooking.
Is it necessary to use chicken broth?
While chicken broth adds wonderful depth and richness, you can substitute it with water plus a bouillon cube or paste. The flavor won’t be quite as rich, but the dish will still taste delicious.
Can this recipe be made with brown rice?
Brown rice requires a longer cooking time and more liquid, so it’s not ideal for this exact method. If you want to use brown rice, you’ll need to adjust the simmer time and broth amount accordingly.
How do I get extra crispy skin on the chicken?
Patting the chicken dry thoroughly and cooking it skin-side down over medium heat without moving it helps develop a crispy, golden crust. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even browning.
Can I add vegetables to the skillet?
Yes! Adding vegetables like diced bell peppers, peas, or mushrooms alongside the rice can be a great way to bulk up the dish. Just toss them in before adding the chicken broth so they have time to cook through.
Final Thoughts
This One-Skillet Chicken Thighs with Butter Rice Recipe is a total winner when you want wholesome, satisfying comfort food that’s easy to prepare and a joy to eat. It’s got all the right elements—crispy, flavorful chicken, luscious buttery rice, and warm herbs—that make every bite a delight. Give it a try soon; I promise it will become one of your weeknight favorites!
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Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A comforting and flavorful one-skillet recipe featuring crispy bone-in chicken thighs cooked atop buttery, seasoned rice. This easy-to-make meal combines tender chicken with perfectly cooked long grain rice infused with chicken broth and aromatic spices, all prepared in a single pan for minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Rice and Broth
- 1 ½ cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth (or water + bouillon)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for cooking chicken)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for flavor and browning.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken skin-side down, cooking for 6–7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for 3–4 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Prepare the Rice: In the same skillet, add the butter and melt it. Stir in the rice along with Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and onion powder. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring to coat the rice in the butter and chicken drippings to build flavor.
- Add the Broth and Nestle Chicken: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine and scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan for extra taste. Nestle the seared chicken thighs skin-side up into the rice.
- Simmer to Cook: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let everything simmer for 20–25 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Garnish with dried parsley or a little extra melted butter on top before serving to enhance flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry is key to achieving crispy skin.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and texture.
- You can substitute chicken broth with water and bouillon cubes if desired.
- Ensure the rice is fully submerged in liquid to cook evenly.
- Letting the dish rest after cooking helps the flavors meld and the rice finish steaming.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature to ensure doneness and safety.
