This One Pot Chicken and Rice is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that combines juicy, bone-in chicken thighs with fragrant rice cooked in a single pot. The recipe is made even more special with a delicious ginger scallion oil sauce that adds a savory and aromatic kick. The best part? It’s simple to make and requires minimal clean-up, making it a perfect weeknight meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken and Rice:

• 6-8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 1 ¾ cups bone broth (or chicken stock or water)

• 1 cup jasmine rice

• 3 inches ginger, sliced

• 2 tbsp minced garlic

• 1 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce or tamari)

For the Scallion Oil Sauce:

• ¼ cup avocado oil (or any neutral oil)

• 4 stalks green onions, finely chopped (separate white and green parts)

• 1 tbsp minced garlic

• 1 tbsp minced ginger

• 1 tsp salt

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken and Rice:

   • Trim excess fat from chicken thighs.

   • Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then set aside.

   • Peel and slice the ginger and mince the garlic and shallot.

2. Sear the Chicken:

   • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

   • Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

   • Remove the chicken and set aside.

3. Sauté Aromatics:

   • In the same skillet, discard excess fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons.

   • Sauté the ginger first, then add garlic and shallots, cooking until fragrant.

4. Toast the Rice:

   • Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir for 2-3 minutes to coat the rice with the oil and aromatics.

5. Add Liquid and Simmer:

   • Pour in the bone broth (or chicken stock) and bring to a boil.

   • Once boiling, reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Nestle the seared chicken back into the pan with any accumulated juices.

   • Cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

6. Make the Scallion Oil Sauce:

   • In a small pot, heat the oil over medium heat.

   • Add the ginger and garlic and cook until lightly golden.

   • Stir in the white parts of the green onions and cook for another 2 minutes.

   • Turn off the heat and add the green parts of the green onions, then season with salt.

7. Final Touches:

   • After 20 minutes, check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F and the rice is fully cooked.

   • Serve the chicken with the rice, drizzle with the scallion oil sauce, and enjoy!

Estimated Nutritional Value (per serving)

• Calories: 400-450 kcal

• Protein: 30-35 g

• Carbohydrates: 40-45 g

  • Fiber: 2-3 g (from rice and vegetables)

  • Sugar: 2-3 g (from ginger and garlic)

• Fat: 15-20 g

  • Saturated Fat: 3-4 g (from chicken skin and oil)

• Cholesterol: 90-100 mg (from chicken thighs)

• Sodium: 600-700 mg (depending on broth and fish sauce)

• Potassium: 300-400 mg (from chicken and rice)

• Vitamin A: 5% of the Daily Value

• Iron: 10% of the Daily Value

This estimate is based on using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, which contribute both protein and healthy fats. If you use boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, the fat content will be lower. Additionally, substituting soy sauce for fish sauce can change the sodium levels slightly.

Why One Pot Chicken and Rice?

This recipe brings together the best of both worlds: a hearty, protein-packed main dish (chicken) with flavorful, aromatic rice cooked together in a single pot. The rice absorbs all the delicious juices from the chicken and seasonings, making it tender and flavorful. The ginger scallion oil sauce adds an extra layer of fragrance and umami, elevating the entire dish.

Cooking everything in one pot also means less clean-up, which is a huge bonus for anyone looking for a convenient, hassle-free meal. The dish is versatile, too, allowing you to adjust the seasonings and ingredients based on what you have on hand. You can use chicken stock instead of bone broth, swap the fish sauce for soy sauce or tamari, and adjust the aromatics for different flavor profiles.

Key Ingredients and Their Role

• Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs: These chicken thighs add both protein and rich flavor. The skin helps to keep the chicken juicy during cooking, and the bone adds depth to the broth, making the rice even more flavorful.

• Bone Broth: Using bone broth (or chicken stock) provides a rich, savory base for cooking the rice and chicken. It adds more depth than plain water and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

• Jasmine Rice: This fragrant rice is perfect for this dish, as it soaks up the flavors from the chicken and broth while cooking. The long grains provide a fluffy, tender texture.

• Fish Sauce: This ingredient adds a savory umami flavor to the dish, giving it depth and richness. If you prefer, you can substitute soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free version.

• Ginger and Garlic: Both of these aromatics are key to creating a flavorful base for the dish. Ginger adds a bit of heat and fragrance, while garlic infuses the rice and chicken with a savory undertone.

• Scallions: The green onions are used both as an aromatic in the scallion oil sauce and as a fresh garnish. They add a nice crunch and a burst of freshness to the dish.

• Avocado Oil: This oil is used for making the scallion oil sauce, offering a neutral base that allows the flavors of garlic and ginger to shine.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken and Rice

Start by trimming any excess fat from the chicken thighs. This helps reduce grease in the dish and ensures the chicken is cooked evenly. Next, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This step helps the rice cook up fluffy rather than sticky. Set the rice aside.

2. Sear the Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until the skin is golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

3. Sauté Aromatics

In the same skillet, remove any excess fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Add the sliced ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then, add the minced garlic and shallots, and cook for another minute, stirring occasionally, until softened and aromatic.

4. Toast the Rice

Add the rinsed rice to the skillet, stirring for 2-3 minutes to coat the rice with the oil and aromatics. Toasting the rice lightly before adding the liquid helps to deepen the flavor of the rice.

5. Add Liquid and Simmer

Pour in the bone broth (or chicken stock) and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pan, along with any juices that have accumulated. Cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes. The chicken will cook through, and the rice will absorb all the delicious flavors.

6. Make the Scallion Oil Sauce

While the chicken and rice are simmering, prepare the scallion oil sauce. In a small pot, heat ¼ cup of avocado oil over medium heat. Add the minced ginger and garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes until they turn golden. Stir in the white parts of the green onions and cook for another 2 minutes, then turn off the heat and add the green parts of the scallions. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt to taste. The scallion oil sauce will have a fragrant, garlicky flavor with a slight sweetness from the scallions.

7. Final Touches

After 20 minutes, check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and that the rice is fully cooked. If the rice needs a little more time, let it simmer for an additional few minutes.

8. Serve

Once the chicken and rice are ready, serve the chicken thighs on top of the rice. Drizzle the dish generously with the ginger scallion oil sauce for extra flavor. Garnish with additional chopped green onions if desired.

Conclusion: A Perfect One-Pot Meal

This One Pot Chicken and Rice is the perfect meal for anyone looking for a flavorful, easy-to-make dish that requires minimal clean-up. With juicy chicken thighs, fragrant rice, and a delicious ginger scallion oil sauce, this recipe brings together comfort and flavor in one pot. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or when you want a hearty meal that’s both satisfying and full of flavor. Try it out, and enjoy a deliciously simple dish that’s sure to become a household favorite.