This recipe needs no introduction but I'll give you one anyway just in case. I've made this dish about a billion times and shared this recipe with hundreds of people who have gone on to share it with hundreds more and it's become a favorite in homes across the world. It's simple and so incredibly versatile that it's sure to become a favorite in your home too. I've made it many different ways and my current favorite is as listed in the recipe but feel free to omit or substitute ingredients and/or spices to suit your taste buds.
Don't like chickpeas? That's cool, I won't tell them. Replace with cubed butternut squash, or mixed frozen veggies, or sauteed mushrooms, or just skip them altogether. Whatever floats your boat.
Don't like paprika? Or need more flavor? Go nuts. Add whatever spices your hungry little heart desires. This recipe can handle whatever you've got. Bring it on.
Don't like white rice? Go ahead, have no fear. Brown rice works incredibly well. The only adjustment is the time in which it takes for the water to absorb in the initial step. No extra water. No extra time in the oven.
Don't like mayo? Umm.. ok.. I'm not sure we can be friends. What kind of person doesn't like mayo?!? Well, you're just going to have to trust me on this one and use it anyway. You won't taste it at all in the finished product and it makes the rice luscious. You heard me. Luscious. If you really can't handle it, though, word on the street is that coconut yogurt is a good stand in. But I don't speak from experience because I absolutely adore mayo and I'm loyal to the ones I love. I use lite mayo and it works just as well as full fat varieties.
Want to know if this reheats well? It does. Very well, in fact.
Want to keep the skin on? Knock yourself out. I prefer without but I appreciate our differences.
Want to use chicken breast instead? I know a few people have done it and said it worked out well but I've never tried it myself. I imagine the chicken would overcook or the rice would undercook. So I'm not saying you can't, but I'm not saying you can either. Definitely worth a try. Let me know how it goes!
Want to make the rice in advance and then add the chicken and bake it together the next day? You can totally do that. You may need to add some water to the pan to help things come along but other than that, you're all set.
Wondering if there's a typo in the recipe? There is not. It's 2 cups of rice and 2 cups of water. Not 4, just 2. Yes, really. Yes, I'm sure. Yes, it really is that good.
Can't use breadcrumbs? Top with whatever you like. French's Fried Onions make a great topping. Gluten free options are crushed potato chips, coconut flakes, crushed gluten free Rice Krispies or Rice Chex cereals. If you're more of a purist, simply dust with your favorite spices.
Any further questions? Or can we just get to the recipe already? Sheesh.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups rice
- 2 cups water
- 4 heaping tablespoons mayo, divided
- 6 chicken thighs, bone in, skin off
- 2-3 tablespoons flavored breadcrumbs
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add onions and saute until translucent. Add crushed garlic and saute 1 minute more. Season with salt, pepper and paprika. Add rinsed chickpeas and rice and allow to toast up for a few minutes before adding the water. Add water, cover and allow to simmer until all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the chicken. Coat chicken thighs with 2 tablespoons mayo and set aside.
- Uncover the rice and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of mayo. Mix very well. Pour and spread the rice evenly into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Top the rice with chicken thighs and sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the chicken. Cover and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Congrats!I'm already so entertained by you on fb, I'm really looking forward to seeing great things from you! Lotsa luck to you!
Thanks Ilana!
Welcome to blogosphere! This classic chicken dish is the perfect first post. Wishing you lots of fun!
Thank you!
Congratulations Esty! Looking forward to seeing more great articles! MOVE OVER CHEF RAMSAY. ESTY IS IN DA HOUSE!!!
Keep making us proud & entertained!!!
Go home Eddie, you're drunk.
At what point can I add the optional spices? A little skeptical about this since my husband forbids me to make anything with mayo lol. But might try it anyway!
Hi Leah, you really don't taste the mayo when it's all said and done. Try it! As for the spices, you can add them in when you add the water to the rice.
Thank you! Making it right now. Feels very appropriate after a sleepless nignt due to my two year old's tantrums lol! She's sleeping now so I'm taking this opportunity to throw the chicken in the oven
When I made the dish as written, the chicken was very pale after 15 minutes uncovered. I put the broiler on for 3-4 minutes to brown a bit. The rice and chickpeas became very dry and crunchy at the edges of the pan. Any way to darken the chicken without drying out the rice?
Hi Barbara, perhaps it would help if you add a bit of water around the edges of the pan to keep the rice from drying out too much. Every oven is different and while some may not need to add any additional water, others do. Hope this helps!
I've made this dish three times now and each time it has been a big hit. I always add frozen chopped spinach and turmeric to the rice and it comes out like rice-a-roni! (a staple in my house growing up) Thanks for the delicious and easy recipe!
Hi Ally. I'm so glad you're enjoying this dish. Your version sounds delish. Next time you make it, send me a pic and I'll post it on Your Tantrum Cooking!
I used brown rice and it was a little hard before I put it in the pan. Will it soften up after it's baked?
Yes, as long as all the water was absorbed, you may proceed with the recipe and it will perfect
Looks delicious! Can I substitute other chicken pieces such as drumsticks and bone in breasts?
Absolutely