This Spicy Chicken and Rice dish is a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal packed with bold spices, tender chicken, and fluffy rice. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be easily customized by adjusting the spice level to your preference. The combination of spices, vegetables, and rice makes this dish filling and delicious.
Ingredients:
For the chicken:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice level)
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the rice:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup long-grain rice (jasmine or basmati works well)
- 1½ cups chicken broth or water
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Season the chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, coriander, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Cook the chicken:
- In a large skillet or pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Sauté the diced onion and bell pepper for 4-5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook the rice:
- Add the rice to the skillet and stir to coat it in the oil and vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth (or water) and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Add cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, turmeric (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Simmer:
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add the chicken back:
- Once the rice is cooked, return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine. Let the dish heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and serve:
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve the Spicy Chicken and Rice hot, with extra hot sauce on the side if you want even more spice!
Enjoy this spicy, flavorful Chicken and Rice dish, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner!
