Chicken and Rice - Simple One-Pot Dish

The simple combination of chicken and rice is a one-pot dish that's made all over the world. Despite the countless variations on the theme, this version is stripped down to the bare essentials: chicken, rice and onion (with peas added at the very end). Short-grain white rice is what the classic recipe calls for, but since I already had brown jasmine rice on hand, I went with long-grain (less sticky, more fragrant).

The ingredients initially take turns in the pan (the chicken browns, then the onion sautés, then the rice gets a glossy coat), until finally all three come together to simmer, covered and undisturbed. The rice will slowly absorb the cooking liquid (water, or stock, if you want a more intense flavor), and become tender at about the same time that the chicken is cooked through. With saffron laced throughout, peas adding little bursts of sweetness, and fresh lime juice to brighten the entire plate, this one-pot wonder deserves a spot on your roster of go-to recipes. Recipe from How to Cook Everything: The Basics.


Chicken and Rice
Time: About 1 hour
Makes: 4 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 whole cut-up chicken or about 3 pounds parts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 medium onions, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups short-grain white rice
Pinch saffron threads, optional
3 1/2 cups water, chicken stock, or vegetable stock, or more as needed
1 cup peas (frozen are fine; no need to thaw them)
2 limes, quartered, for serving

1. Put the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the chicken, skin side down. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, undisturbed but adjusting the heat so the chicken sizzles but doesn't burn, until the pieces release easily from the pan, 5 to 10 minutes. Then turn and rotate them every few minutes to brown them evenly. As the chicken pieces brown, after another 5 to 10 minutes, remove them from the pan.

2. Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium and pour or spoon off most of the oil so that only 2 tablespoons remain. Add the onions to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until they soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and rice; cook, stirring, until the rice is glossy and coated with oil. Crumble in the saffron threads if you're using them.

3. Return the chicken to the pan, add the water, and stir gently to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat so it bubbles gently but steadily. Cover the skillet and cook, undisturbed, for 20 minutes, then check the rice and chicken. The goal is to have the liquid absorbed, the rice tender, and the chicken cooked through. If the rice is dry but nothing is ready, add another 1/4 cup water and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. The meat is done when a quick-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 155-165°F.

4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Taste the rice and adjust the seasoning. Add the peas, then cover the pan again and let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes. Fish the chicken out of the pan and transfer it to a serving platter. Fluff the rice with a fork, spoon it around the chicken, add the lime wedges, and serve.

Tips:
-Saffron (as you probably know if you're using it) is not cheap. Fortunately a little goes a long way.
-Don't be intimidated by cooking chicken and rice in the same pan. It's no harder than cooking either ingredient on its own. You may need to monitor the moisture in the pan toward the end of cooking, but as long as you resist the urge to uncover the skillet and stir, it will come out great.
-Short-grain rice is classic here, but if you like rice less sticky and more fluffy, use long-grain rice. You'll probably need to add the extra liquid in Step 3.

Brown Rice Magic - Pilaf, Stew,Salad, Cakes

1. PILAF
Garlic and Parsley

Cook 1 tablespoon minced garlic in 2 tablespoons butter for 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups brown basmati (or other) rice and cook, stirring, about 3 minutes. Add 3 cups stock, bring to a boil, lower the heat and cover. Cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped parsley, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Garnish: Chopped parsley.

Sausage, Red Peppers and Onions

Use olive oil instead of butter. Cook 1 sliced onion, 1 sliced red bell pepper and 8 ounces sliced or chunked Italian sausage in the oil before adding the garlic. Substitute basil for the parsley.

Shrimp, Scallions and Snow Peas

Use neutral oil (like corn) instead of butter. Cook 1/2 cup chopped scallions in oil before adding garlic. Add 8 ounces peeled shrimp (chopped, if large), 1 cup snow peas, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sesame oil for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Garnish: Chopped cilantro.

2. STEW
Fried Egg and Chives

Combine 1 1/2 cups brown rice with 3 cups water over high heat. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and partly cover. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until the rice is tender and thick, 45 to 60 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped chives. Meanwhile, fry 4 eggs in 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Serve the eggs over the rice. Garnish: Chopped chives.

Jerk Chicken

Skip the chives and eggs. First, sear 4 bone-in chicken thighs in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add 1 chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes; add 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon minced habanero chili, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, rice and the water; proceed as above. Garnish: Thyme leaves.

Coconut and Molasses

Skip the chives and eggs. Substitute 1 can coconut milk for 1 1/2 cups of the water and add 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut to the rice. Serve drizzled with molasses.

3. SALAD
White Bean, Lemon and Tomato

Combine 1 1/2 cups brown rice with 2 1/2 cups water over high heat. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Chill if time allows. Toss with 1 cup cooked white beans, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped dill, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 tablespoon minced garlic. Garnish: Chopped dill.

Grape and Ricotta

Substitute ricotta cheese for the white beans, grapes for the cherry tomatoes, basil for the dill and 1 chopped small shallot for the garlic.

Broccoli, Pine Nut and Sage

Steam 2 cups broccoli florets until just tender, about 5 minutes; shock in ice water, then drain and chop. Substitute 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts for the white beans, the broccoli for the cherry tomatoes and 1 tablespoon chopped sage for the dill.

4. CAKES
Parmesan and Scallions

Combine 1 1/2 cups brown rice with 3 cups water over high heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if needed, until the rice is starchy and soft, about 1 hour. Chill for at least 1 hour. Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup chopped scallions and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Form into patties and cook in olive oil over medium-high heat until browned on both sides. Garnish: Grated Parmesan.

Carrots and Parsnips

Skip the cheese, scallions and parsley. Instead, stir 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 shredded small onion, 1/2 cup shredded parsnips and 1 tablespoon minced sage into the rice; proceed as above. Garnish: Chopped parsley.

Caramelized Leeks and Spinach

Skip the cheese, scallions and parsley. Cook 2 chopped leeks in 2 tablespoons olive oil until very soft and brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Add 3 cups chopped spinach and cook just until wilted. Stir the leeks and spinach into the rice; proceed as above. Serve with lemon wedges.