This is my kids favorite chicken and rice recipe!
I start with a scratch thyme seasoned rice that is light fluffy, and well seasoned. Then top it with a well browned chicken broccolini and even some sautéed mushrooms for the parents!
My kids love chicken and rice – its such a simple dinner and that’s what they love about it. But good ol’ dad can never leave well enough alone.
While I to keep the essence of a simple dish in mind, I wanted to add a little love to it with some nice ingredients.
Let’s start with the rice.
I took a little inspiration from a homemade Mexican rice to start.
By browning the rice in a little oil and garlic before adding the liquid, I’ll give an extra layer of flavor, and a light fluffy texture to the rice.
And the best part of Spanish rice is cooking it in chicken broth. And that’s exactly what I did.
Letting this simmer in chicken broth, seasoned in salt and pepper, then add some fresh thyme gives it a subtle, but delicious flavor, that is “plain” enough for my picky eaters, but has enough flavor for the parents to enjoy.
It beats a box of store bought rice. Takes a little more time, but its hands off so you’re letting this simmer while cooking up the chicken.
This is a simple, salt pepper and garlic seasoning, I like to use my Makes Beef Better spice blend (what do you know it makes more than beef better..)
Start off with a little oil and butter – maybe a sprig of thyme since you already have it. Then let it brown, that’s where the flavor is coming from.
But feel free to add your own twist to this chicken and rice, I’m keeping this simple for the kids – and it will have sauteed mushrooms for mom and dad so there will be a lot of other flavors to layer on this if you like.
You’ve spent 30 minutes cooking up your main and sides, and trying your best to get it all coordinated so that everything gets to the table warm.
But that can get super stressful for me. So I always have an oven set on low (about 140-160F) and keep anything that got done early warm inside.
I also have a buffet style food warmer that comes in handy too since it sets up the family to serve themselves too – one less step you have to worry about.
This is a perfect way to keep the chicken up to temp while you’re sautéing your mushrooms and cooking the broccolini.
When there’s that night where you don’t know what to cook – have this chicken and rice recipe in your back pocket. And if you’re pressed for time, keep it simple!
Maybe throw your rice in the rice cooker with the chicken broth and thyme. Omit the mushrooms if you’re not feeling it. Just keep it simple and let the ingredients speak for themselves.