One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
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.
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!!
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
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Best Spanish Rice I’ve ever tried. I don’t bookmark many recipes anymore, but the spice mixture is spot on. My wife loved it and she doesn’t suffer my MEDIOCRE Cooking.
Fantastic job, John! Way to impress the wife, too! 😉 Thanks for sharing your experience with this recipe!
This recipe is simple yet very tasty! I will definitely make this many times. love the spice combination and the addition of the lemon.
Fantastic! I am super excited to hear that you enjoy this recipe so much, Susan! 🙂
Just made this & it is absolutely delicious!
Fantastic! Thanks for your feedback, Marilyn!
Can you use an electric skillet for this dish
You can but I’d say the best results come from using a cast iron skillet for this recipe!
The recipe is great but was I supposed to improvise on the temperature prior to covering because the rice on the bottom of the skillet was burnt or was it supposed to be stirred at some point?
It typically does not need to be stirred- I am not positive what happened with yours as I have not had that issue myself! Next time keep an eye on the rice and chicken for doneness… perhaps it just required a little less time for you than stated!
A fun fact, the time it takes for rice to cook can be effected by the elevation where you live. Found this one out after moving back from Tehran.
I made this for dinner a few nights ago. I added a handful of cherry tomatoes cut in half and a handful of frozen peas in the last five minutes of cooking, other than that I followed the rest of the recipe precisely. It was excellent. This will be a favorite.
Great job, Kay! Those are both awesome ideas. Sounds like you definitely set yourself up for success with this one!
pretty good! I chopped up a half an onion and 1 red bell pepper that I cooked up in the pan before adding the chicken broth and rice. Smells looks and is delicious.
Great job, Carl! Sounds like you set yourself up for success! 🙂
This is so good! I was craving a one pot chicken and rice recipe & wanted something new and exciting! This recipe is amazing! So easy to make and full of flavor. I shared with co workers and they all wanted the recipe. Will make over and over, especially since chicken is the only medically allowable meat I can eat!
Great job, Rhonda! I am super excited to hear that you were able to satisfy your craving! 😉 Thanks for your feedback!
I made this RECIPE yesterday and doubled up on everything so it could be our dinner a couple of days. the way your recipe turned out was so absolutely great that there was no leftovers even for Simba,our pitbull pet. thank you so much for sharing this and I look forward already to make it again
Way to go, Hady!! That is hilarious that you doubled for leftovers and didn’t end up with any, haha!
The recipe looks great i plan giving it try!!
I hope that it turns out delicious for you!