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.
i dont understand the seasoning is to coat all the 6 chickens, and the other ingredients for only one cup of rice?
You divide the seasoning in half, half goes on the chicken half goes with the rice.
This was great, even without Coriander. I used brown rice instead of white and added 1/4 cup extra liquid. Threw in some frozen peas during last 5 minutes of cooking.
Awesome! I bet that addition was delicious. Might need to try that next time!
tasty! I added garbanzo, baby carrots and tumeric to the seasoning. Thanks for the inspo.
Sounds like fantastic additions!
BOMB! I added garbanzo, baby carrots and tumeric to the seasoning. Thanks for the inspo.
really good. My family had me put this in the recipe book.
Hi Scott!! Thank you. I am happy to hear that your family enjoyed this recipe!
I have tried this recipe exactly as written and it’s delicious. Made it a few times now. I’d like to try it without the rice. How would I cook the chicken all the way through? In the pan or baked?
I think cooking it in the pan would be just fine!
I have everything but the lemon , is it totally Necessary ? Or will i Be missing out on the Flavor ?
You’ll miss out on some flavor, but if worst comes to worst- I think you would be ok without it for one time!
Not sure but it was bland and flavouRs simplY did not come out as expected.
Sorry to hear that, Millia!
tasty and fast! The spices had a slightly unfinished character. I think it needs three times the salt and next time I’ll try the small additional step of sauteeing a chopped onion between steps (3) and (4). I look forward to making this for guests with a handful of nice green olives folded in at the last minute.
I added broccoli to it with 15 mins left. It was yummy.
Yum! I bet that was a delicious addition 🙂
I haven’t tryed this recipe yet, was thinking ABOUT making tonight, my question is can it be made in a pressure cooker?
I totally think it could!
Really solid dish for a family of four. All loved it! The lemon and cilantro are just the right compliments!
Awesome!!!
Is there a soe type of ruce used best?
Omg auto correct. Is there a sPecific type of rice best Used.
I use uncooked white rice.
COoking now. Easy to make
Used lime instead of lemon.
Smells GOOD
Made this last night, follOwed the receipt exactly and it was fantastic. Chicken was juicy, full of flavour but with a subtle bite to it. The rice was wonderful with the addition of the spices and lemon. Great for summer or winter. Going to try this again on a larger scale in a paella pan for the next BBQ.
perfect!
Aah, autocorrect!
Followed the RECIPE………🤦♂️
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe so much!! Thanks, Duncan!
Looks AMAZING!!
Can i add spanish olives to it?
Sure!