One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Rice with Tomatoes
A comforting one-pot dish combining tender chicken thighs with fragrant spices, tomatoes, and fluffy rice for a hearty meal. This mediterranean-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, long grain white rice, (1 can) canned diced tomatoes 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 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 14 oz (1 can) canned diced tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sear skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook 3 more minutes, then remove from pan and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the same pan. Sauté for 4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano; cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 4: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juices and 3 cups chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 5: Add 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, stirring to combine; return the chicken thighs on top, skin-side up.
- Step 6: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Rice with Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Spiced Chicken and Rice with Tomatoes?
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 One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Rice with Tomatoes?
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 Spiced Chicken and Rice with Tomatoes 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 Spiced Chicken and Rice with Tomatoes?
Mediterranean 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.
