This easy and flavorful Chicken and Yellow Rice Skillet makes a quick and delicious dinner for the whole family. This is a MUST TRY recipe.
This Chicken and Yellow Rice Skillet truly is a restaurant-quality dinner that’s so quick to make and in just one skillet. The rice is fluffy and flavorful, and the chicken is wonderfully tender. You definitely want this in your belly. 🙂
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS CHICKEN AND YELLOW RICE SKILLET
This Chicken and Yellow Rice Skillet is so amazing because it’s:
- SIMPLE. The ingredient list is short and simple.
- EASY. Almost no clean-up is required.
- FAST. Made in 35 minutes.
- VERY TASTY. The fluffy, lemon-infused rice, and perfectly seasoned, tender chicken… Yes! It’s delicious!
WHAT KIND OF RICE TO USE
I strongly suggest using Basmati rice in this recipe. It is a long-grain, white rice that has a slightly softer grain than Jasmine rice. It absorbs liquid really well and comes out evenly cooked and fluffy every time. Basmati can be found in pretty much all large supermarkets and online.
MY LATEST VIDEOS
ABOUT THE CHICKEN
I love using chicken thighs in this Chicken and Yellow Rice recipe, but I have used drumsticks with great success before. I do not recommend chicken breast here because it’ll end up being dry, and we don’t want that.
You can keep or remove the skin from the thighs. I personally enjoy the flavor the skins add to the dish, so I keep them on. If you choose to remove the skins, which is perfectly OK, you may need to add a touch of butter or a bit more oil when frying the chicken, so the rice doesn’t come out too dry.
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN AND YELLOW RICE
1.Mix the seasoning ingredients together, and generously rub them onto the chicken thighs.
2. Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet. Add the chicken and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side.*
3. Remove the chicken from the skillet. Add the rice, turmeric, lemon juice, and chicken stock.**
4. Return the chicken to the skillet, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cover with a tight lid. Cook until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat, and let in rest with lid on, for another 5 minutes. Serve.
*If you are using large (very thick) chicken thighs, you may need to reduce the heat to medium, and cook them for 7-8 minutes per side, to make sure that the chicken will be fully cooked after being simmered for an additional 20 minutes with the rice.
**You may need to add salt if using low-sodium chicken stock.
Did you make this Chicken and Yellow Rice Skillet?
Please, let me know how you enjoyed it! Share your photos on Instagram with #cooktoria. I am always so happy to see your creations.
If you like this recipe, check out these other easy chicken dinner ideas:
- Creamy Chicken Thighs
- Quick Three-Cheese Chicken
- Easy Cabbage and Chicken
- Paprika Chicken Legs
- Easy Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
Chicken and Yellow Rice Recipe Video Tutorial
Chicken and Yellow Rice Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup white Basmati rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp. turmeric powder
- fresh parsley or scallion, to garnish
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
Instructions
- Mix the seasoning ingredients together, and generously rub them onto the chicken thighs.
- Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet. Add the chicken and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side.*
- Remove the chicken from the skillet. Add the rice, turmeric, lemon juice, and chicken stock.**
- Return the chicken to the skillet, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cover with a tight lid. Cook until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, and let in rest with lid on, for another 5 minutes. Serve.
Diane says
March 14, 2019 at 2:25 amWondering about using the instant pot – would timing stay the same?
Tania says
March 14, 2019 at 8:11 pmHi Diane! I do not own an Instant Pot, so I cannot advise you. maybe some of my readers can help out.
Nicole says
February 25, 2019 at 1:37 pmI liked this recipe – especially since it is a one pot meal!!! I did add frozen peas to just give it some veggies. I thought the seasoning was pretty spot on. I like stuff on the more seasoned side – so I will add a little chicken bouillon to the rice next time to add a little salt and depth.
Tania says
February 25, 2019 at 5:43 pmThank you so much for the feedback, Nicole!
Julia Mazurchak says
February 10, 2019 at 5:13 amOMG this looks DIVINE. I am definitely making this tomorrow night!
Tania says
February 10, 2019 at 1:35 pmThanks, Julia!
Jodi says
January 29, 2019 at 8:06 pmI have been cooking extensively for year, and this recipe is going into my “simplest delicious “ file
Tania says
January 29, 2019 at 8:55 pmHi Jodi! I am so glad to hear this! Thank you so much!
Sandra says
January 28, 2019 at 9:01 amFamily really enjoyed this recipe, but it took 1.5 hours to cook, lid keeps moisture in. I had to take the lid off and turn the heat up. The last comment is the rice most definitely was not yellow when finished, when you add the chicken back in the liquid starts taking on the color from the spice rub.
Tania says
January 28, 2019 at 8:48 pmHi Sandra! It is VERY important to use white Basmati rice in this recipe. This rice cooks fast (20 minutes) and absorbs all of the liquid. The yellow color comes from turmeric. And the spice rub shouldn’t change the color much. I am glad you enjoyed it!