Galinhada Chicken and Rice Simmered with Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting Brazilian one-pot dish featuring chicken thighs cooked with rice, tomatoes, and fresh herbs for a savory, aromatic meal. This brazilian-inspired brazilian ready in about 55 minutes pairs skin on bone-in chicken thighs, long grain rice, medium, diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, 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.

★ 4.1 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Brazilian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
  2. Step 2: Add chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook 3 more minutes, then remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium and add 1 chopped medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the same pan. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 diced medium tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until tomatoes break down.
  5. Step 5: Add 2 cups long grain rice and toast for 2 minutes while stirring.
  6. Step 6: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the pan bottom.
  7. Step 7: Return chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them into the rice. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken cooked through.
  8. Step 8: Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Galinhada Chicken and Rice Simmered with Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Galinhada Chicken and Rice Simmered with Fresh Herbs?

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 long grain rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Galinhada Chicken and Rice Simmered with Fresh Herbs?

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 Galinhada Chicken and Rice Simmered with Fresh Herbs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Galinhada Chicken and Rice Simmered with Fresh Herbs?

Brazilian brazilian 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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