The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
A plate of grilled chicken and rice is a classic, healthy, and satisfying meal that never goes out of style. This dish perfectly balances juicy, marinated chicken with flavorful, fluffy rice, creating a complete and balanced meal. With this simple recipe, you can prepare this delicious grilled chicken and rice dish in just 40 minutes, making it the perfect choice for a quick and wholesome weeknight dinner.
What is Grilled Chicken and Rice?
Table of Contents
hide
The classic combination of grilled chicken and rice is a staple in many cuisines around the world. This dish is known for its simplicity and balanced profile, pairing lean protein with complex carbohydrates. The grilled chicken is marinated in a blend of herbs and spices before being cooked, which gives it a deep flavor and tender texture. The rice is often prepared as a pilaf or steamed, with simple aromatics like onion or garlic to enhance the overall flavor of the dish. If you are a fan of chicken recipes, you can try the Chicken Shami Kabab recipe.
Ingredients for Your Grilled Chicken and Rice
For the Grilled Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Garlic Herb Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed well
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley or fresh, chopped
- Salt, to taste
For Serving (Optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
How to Prepare and Assemble Your Grilled Chicken and Rice
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and turn to coat completely. If you have time, let it marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the rinsed rice and stir for one minute to coat the grains in butter. Pour in the chicken broth or water, and add the salt and parsley. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot, and let the rice cook for 15-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Grill the Chicken: While the rice is cooking, preheat a grill (indoor or outdoor) or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the hot grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Finish the Dish: When the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the grains with a fork. Slice the grilled chicken into strips.
- Serve: Place the rice on a serving plate, then arrange the chicken slices on top. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve this delicious grilled chicken and rice dish immediately.
Tips for the Perfect Grilled Chicken and Rice
- Pound the Chicken: For even cooking, pound thicker chicken breasts to a uniform thickness of about 3/4 inch (1.5 cm).
- Perfectly Fluffy Rice: To get fluffy, separate grains, make sure to rinse the rice well until the water runs clear. Do not stir the rice while it is cooking.
- For Richer Flavor: Use chicken broth instead of water when cooking the rice to add an extra layer of flavor and depth to the dish.
Conclusion
This grilled chicken and rice recipe proves that healthy meals can be incredibly flavorful. It’s a simple, delicious dish that is the perfect choice for a nourishing meal any day of the week.
Delicious Grilled Chicken and Rice in 40 Minutes
A quick and delicious recipe for flavorful grilled chicken served with fluffy, seasoned rice.
Ingredients
For the Grilled Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Garlic Herb Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice rinsed well
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley or fresh chopped
- Salt to taste
For Serving (Optional)
- Fresh parsley chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and turn to coat completely. If you have time, let it marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the rinsed rice and stir for one minute to coat the grains in butter. Pour in the chicken broth or water, and add the salt and parsley. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot, and let the rice cook for 15-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Grill the Chicken: While the rice is cooking, preheat a grill (indoor or outdoor) or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the hot grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Finish the Dish: When the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the grains with a fork. Slice the grilled chicken into strips.
- Serve: Place the rice on a serving plate, then arrange the chicken slices on top. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve this delicious grilled chicken and rice dish immediately.
Notes
You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
