Layered Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bake
A traditional Iraqi rice dish featuring chicken, carrots, and potatoes layered with aromatic spices and simmered to tender perfection. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 70 minutes pairs chicken thighs, long-grain rice, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 cups, uncooked long-grain rice
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes potatoes
- 1 large, finely chopped red onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 large finely chopped red onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 3 minutes until fragrant and onions are translucent.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs to the pot, skin-side down, and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups uncooked long-grain rice, 2 medium peeled and sliced carrots, 2 medium peeled and cubed potatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1/4 tsp allspice. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until rice is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Layered Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bake take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 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 Layered Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bake?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Layered Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bake?
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 Layered Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bake 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 Layered Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bake?
Middle Eastern chicken 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A wonderful recipe that brings back memories of my grandmother's cooking. The chicken was so tender and the rice was perfectly cooked.
- ★★★★★
This dish was a hit at my family dinner! The layers of chicken and vegetables with the rice were so flavorful and perfect for a weeknight meal.
- ★★★★★
Love how the Middle Eastern spices came through in this bake. My kids even ate the vegetables without complaining!
