One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Herbed Rice
Juicy chicken thighs simmered in a garlic butter sauce with fluffy, flavorful herbed rice all cooked together in one pot for an easy, comforting dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced, long grain white rice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 6 pieces (about 2 lbs) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook 4 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in 5 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice and toast it in the butter and garlic mixture, stirring constantly for 2 minutes until rice becomes slightly translucent.
- Step 3: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and sprinkle 1 tsp dried thyme over the rice. Stir well to combine, then nestle the browned chicken thighs back on top of the rice, skin-side up. Cover skillet with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving to add freshness and color.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Herbed Rice take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Herbed 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Herbed 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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Herbed Rice 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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Herbed Rice?
American 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.
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