The Ultimate Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bake

I learned this fantastic trick in a famous restaurant, and now I only make chicken like this. It’s a one-pan dish that’s not only delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare. Here’s how you can create this savory, hearty meal at home.

Ingredients:

• For the Rice and Vegetables:
  • 500 grams of white rice
  • 2 medium peeled carrots, sliced
  • 1 zucchini, halved and cut into strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 400 milliliters of cooking cream
• For the Chicken:
  • 1 whole chicken, butterflied
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
• For the Dressing:
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • Parsley to taste

Instructions:

Preparing the Vegetables and Rice

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2. Prepare the Vegetables:
   • Slice the two medium carrots and halve and strip the zucchini.
   • Chop the red bell pepper.
3. Assemble the Base:
   • In a large baking sheet, evenly spread 500 grams of white rice.
   • Add the sliced carrots, zucchini strips, and chopped red bell pepper.
   • Pour 400 milliliters of cooking cream over the rice and vegetables, ensuring they are well-coated.

Preparing the Chicken

4. Butterfly the Chicken:
   • Cut the whole chicken along the backbone and flatten it out (butterfly it).
5. Season the Chicken:
   • In a small bowl, combine the following spices:
     • 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
     • 1 teaspoon of turmeric
     • 1 teaspoon of salt
     • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
     • 1 teaspoon of black pepper
     • 1 teaspoon of onion powder
   • Rub this seasoning mix all over the butterflied chicken, ensuring even coverage.

Making the Dressing

6. Prepare the Dressing Ingredients:
   • Chop the medium onion, two ripe tomatoes, one yellow bell pepper, one red bell pepper, and mince the four garlic cloves.
7. Create the Dressing:
   • Mix these chopped vegetables and garlic together in a bowl.
   • Add parsley to taste.
   • Spread this dressing mixture all over the seasoned chicken using a brush, ensuring it is well-coated.

Cooking

8. Secure and Arrange the Chicken:
   • Place the butterflied and seasoned chicken on the oven grid.
   • Secure the chicken by its legs using toothpicks to ensure it stays flat during cooking.
9. Bake:
   • Place the grid with the chicken above the baking sheet with rice and vegetables.
   • This setup allows the chicken drippings to flavor the rice and vegetables below.
   • Bake in the preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.

Serving

10. Check for Doneness:
    • Ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 75 degrees Celsius).
    • The rice should be tender, and the vegetables should be perfectly roasted.
11. Serve:
    • Remove the baking sheet and the chicken from the oven.
    • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before cutting it into portions.
    • Serve the chicken pieces over the bed of creamy, seasoned rice and vegetables.

Tips for Success

• Butterfly the Chicken Properly: This helps the chicken cook evenly and ensures it flavors the rice and vegetables below.
• Season Generously: The spice mix adds a rich flavor to the chicken, complementing the creaminess of the rice and vegetables.
• Check the Rice: Ensure the rice is fully cooked before serving. If it’s not quite done, you can cover it with foil and let it steam for a few more minutes.
• Rest the Chicken: Letting the chicken rest before cutting helps retain its juices, making it more flavorful and moist.

Variations

• Different Vegetables: Feel free to add or substitute vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or mushrooms for variety.
• Spicy Kick: Add a teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix if you like a bit of heat.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can be added to the dressing mix for an aromatic touch.

This chicken and vegetable rice bake is a complete meal that combines juicy, flavorful chicken with creamy, well-seasoned rice and vegetables. It’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. Once you try it, you’ll understand why this method is a favorite. Enjoy the rich flavors and the ease of preparation, and don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family! See you next recipe. Bye!