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
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Slice the two medium carrots and halve and strip the zucchini.
- Chop the red bell pepper.
- 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
- Butterfly the Chicken:
- Cut the whole chicken along the backbone and flatten it out (butterfly it).
- 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.
- In a small bowl, combine the following spices:
Making the Dressing
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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!
