One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice

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Total Time 30 minutes

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Easy one pan Spanish chicken and rice is made with simple seasoning that come together with zesty, bold flavors in this one pot, 30 minute meal. 

Try these other easy one pot recipes like One Pan Garlic Herb Chicken and Asparagus, One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, and Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet.

close up of Spanish chicken and rice in a pan.

I’m thinking a little bit outside of the box this week and so far I’m loving the out-of-the-box dishes that are happening. I love chicken and rice together and a couple of days ago I was just craving a good ol’ one pan/one pot chicken and rice, only I really wanted to step up the flavor profile.

I’ve been making my ultra-popular one pot lemon herb chicken and rice for a couple of years now and love how easy it is to make with just a few ingredients I almost always have on hand. This week, I took that same one pan chicken and rice idea and put a fun, delicious new twist on it with some big, bold, Spanish seasonings and you guys…. this might even be better than that lemon herb chicken dish. So if you’ve tried that and love it, you are going to go crazy for this Spanish chicken and rice version.

side by side images of Spanish chicken and rice in a pan.

There is one ingredient you mayyyy not recognize and it’s coriander. If you haven’t cooked with coriander, it’s kind of similar to cumin. I use it occassionally and really love the depth it gives to the flavor of dishes. It’s easy to find in the spice section of any grocery store, but if you have everything but the coriander and don’t want to make a special trip to the store just for one ingredient, you can actually use an equal amount of cumin as a pretty great substitute! If you try this dish, I would love to hear what you think of the flavors so don’t be shy and make sure to leave a comment or send me an email or message!!

top view of Spanish chicken and rice in a pan.

What people are saying about this One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice

“OMG. This was heaven in a skillet. After an exhausting day, I printed out this recipe and gave it to my husband and ordered him to make it. I think he spiced it up with some hot chili powder. But the rice! Strongly recommend the thighs for more flavor.” – Lisa 

“Made this for dinner and husband and daughter begged to have it on a regular basis!! We all loved it, and I especially loved how simple it was to make and it’s only one pot! Thank you Tiffany for the awesome recipe!!” – Mona

“I am beyond thrilled with this recipe! To make something so good in thirty minutes after a long night at work…from the bottom of my heart and sore sore feet thank you!!!” – Alison

“Great recipe. the flavors were great and the meat was juicy (i was worried it wouldn’t be). The spice was just the right amount. It seemed like a ton of spice so I was worried it would be too hot for me, but it wasn’t at all.” – Sarah

One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice | lecremedelacrumb.com
4.92 from 1196 votes

One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice

Easy one pan Spanish chicken and rice is made with simple seasoning that come together with zesty, bold flavors in this one pot, 30 minute meal.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
0 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, OR 6 chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice
  • 2 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 lemon
  • chopped cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Spanish seasoning mix

  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander , (see note)
  • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl whisk together all ingredients for the Spanish seasoning mix. Divide in half and set aside. Cut the lemon in half, then thinly slice one half - for garnish - and reserve the other half for juicing later in the recipe.
  • Place chicken in a medium bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil, then toss to coat well. Use half of the prepared seasoning mix to rub on both sides of each piece of chicken.
  • Drizzle a large skillet with remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and bring to medium heat. Cook chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. Transfer to a plate. (It won't be cooked through at this point)
  • Add rice, chicken broth, juice from 1/2 of the lemon, and remaining seasoning mix and stir to combine. Return chicken to the pan on top of the rice. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes until liquid is absorbed, rice is tender, and chicken is cooked through.
  • Garnish with lemon slices and freshly chopped cilantro or parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

*Coriander is found in the spice section of any typical grocery store. In a pinch, cumin can be used as a substitute. 

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 765mg | Potassium: 675mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 691IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a star rating or comment below!
Tiffany of Creme de la Crumb in the kitchen

Welcome!

Hey there, I’m Tiffany – chef, photographer, mother, and avid taco eater. I am passionate about turning simple flavors and ingredients into tasty meals the whole family will love, with minimal prep and cleanup so there’s more time to spend eating and enjoying. Stay awhile, and help yourself to a taco or two!

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4.92 from 1196 votes (827 ratings without comment)

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850 Comments

  1. Sandhya Uduwawala says:

    5 stars
    Simply amazing. My family loved it. Thank you!

  2. Sam says:

    5 stars
    Simple and delicious!
    My wife and 15 month old boy loved it paired with salad.

  3. Amber says:

    5 stars
    Delicious!!! Flavors were amazing and so quick and simple!

  4. ANna says:

    4 stars
    Hi! I tRied this aNd the flavors wEre delicious but the rice was SIGNIFICANTLY burned from the bottom and stuck to the skillet. I followed all the Guidelines, what could have happened?

  5. Alison says:

    5 stars
    Wow, this was so tasty and so easy to make. We all loved it. 😋

  6. Anna says:

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! have made it several times. i double the spices for extra flavor… delicious! thank you!

  7. Liandri says:

    5 stars
    This was absolutely superb! I used jasmine Rice, this was fAntastic on a cold, snowy april day!

  8. Shonalie Leville says:

    5 stars
    So delicious! I made this in a cast iron skilleT and baked it in the oven at 350 for 30 mInutes. Also added chopped green olives To the garNish. I’ll definitely be making this again

  9. brian says:

    This is excellent. THe only change I’d recommend is waiting 10 – 15 minutes before putting the chicken in. When I put the chicken in for the full 25 minutes it was very dry.

  10. Lauren says:

    5 stars
    I was so sceptical as to whether this recipe could actually taste any good due to so few ingredients and such a simple easy method but I can honestly say it is one of the tastiest, easiest and effective recipe’s i’ve ever used. I will be making this one pot dish weekly and spreading the word.