Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Sofrito Rice

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with orange juice and a fragrant sofrito rice base, featuring Puerto Rican-inspired aromatics and a bright citrus finish. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, orange juice, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.1 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1 lb bone-in chicken thighs dry and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken skin-side down, and sear for 5 minutes until golden brown; flip and cook 3 more minutes.
  2. Step 2: Remove chicken, then add 1/2 cup finely diced onion, 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring constantly.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup long-grain white rice to the skillet, stir to coat in aromatics, then pour in 1/2 cup orange juice and 1 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Return chicken to the skillet, cover, and cook for 8 minutes more until chicken reaches 165°F.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Sofrito Rice take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Sofrito Rice?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Sofrito Rice?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Sofrito Rice for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Sofrito Rice?

Puerto Rican one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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