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Mediterranean Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe

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3.9 from 61 reviews

A flavorful one-pan Mediterranean dish featuring juicy, tender chicken thighs baked atop long-grain rice infused with tomatoes, olives, garlic, and fragrant herbs. Finished with crumbled feta cheese, this easy-to-make meal is perfect for a satisfying family dinner with minimal cleanup.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Rice and Vegetables

  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Toppings

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prep the dish.
  2. Combine Rice and Vegetables: In a suitable baking dish, mix together the long-grain rice, chicken broth, minced garlic, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, dried oregano, paprika, and salt and pepper until evenly distributed. This mixture forms the flavorful base of your dish.
  3. Add Chicken: Nestle the boneless, skinless chicken thighs on top of the rice and vegetable mixture. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil to keep it moist and help it brown beautifully during baking.
  4. Cover and Bake: Seal the baking dish tightly with foil to trap steam and moisture. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the broth and the chicken to cook through gently.
  5. Add Feta and Continue Baking: After 35 minutes, carefully remove the foil and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly over the chicken and rice. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. This step lets the cheese melt and slightly brown, adding a creamy tang to the dish.
  6. Rest and Serve: Once baking is complete, let the dish rest for a few minutes. This helps the flavors meld together and makes serving easier. Enjoy your hearty Mediterranean chicken and rice casserole!

Notes

  • You can add spinach or zucchini into the rice mixture for extra vegetables and nutrients.
  • If substituting brown rice, increase the baking time by about 15-20 minutes and add slightly more broth as brown rice absorbs more liquid.
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Find it online: https://dishestocook.com/mediterranean-chicken-and-rice-bake-recipe-2/