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Turning basic staples into a tasty dinner for busy nights, this One Pan Chili Lime Chicken and Rice blends tangy flavors with juicy chicken and fluffy rice. This half-hour meal shows that tasty food doesn't need to be complex.
After many family meals, I've learned that getting the chicken nice and brown before tossing in the rice makes everything taste better. The spice mix works its way into both the meat and grains, so every mouthful is packed with flavor.
Key Components
- Boneless chicken breasts: Flattened for even cooking time
- Jasmine rice: Makes a soft, tasty foundation
- Chili powder: Gives a warm, rich kick
- Fresh lime: Brings zesty freshness
- Chicken broth: Helps cook rice perfectly
- Fresh cilantro: Adds color and fresh taste
Step-By-Step Method
- Getting Chicken Ready
- Wipe chicken breasts totally dry, Hammer to flat ½-inch pieces, Combine all spices in tiny bowl, Rub chicken with half the mix, Keep leftover spices for rice
- First Cooking Stage
- Warm large pan on medium-high, Pour vegetable oil until it gleams, Set spiced chicken in skillet, Brown 3-4 minutes each side, Set chicken aside on clean dish
- Setting Up Rice
- Drop rice into same skillet, Mix in leftover spice blend, Add chicken broth, Squeeze in fresh lime, Mix everything well
- Completing The Dish
- Put chicken back on rice, Cover with tight lid, Turn heat to medium-low, Leave undisturbed 20-25 minutes, Make sure rice is soft and liquid gone
- Last Steps
- Keep covered for 5 minutes rest, Stir rice gently with fork, Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top, Add extra lime juice, Dish up right away
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Keeping Leftovers
Keep in sealed containers up to 5 days, Freeze chicken apart from rice, Warm slowly to keep food moist, Great for planning weekly meals
To wrap up: This One Pan Chili Lime Chicken and Rice shows how weekday meals can be both easy and yummy. The mix of tangy seasonings, juicy chicken, and soft rice makes a filling dinner that'll quickly become a household hit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap white rice for brown?
- Sure, but you’ll need an extra 15-20 minutes to cook it, plus more broth since brown rice takes longer to soften.
- → What's the ideal pan to use?
- Go for a wide skillet with a snug lid. Non-stick or a well-seasoned pan keeps the rice from sticking.
- → How do I make it spicier?
- Turn up the heat by adding more cayenne or mixing in diced jalapeños while cooking the rice.
- → Can parts of this be prepped early?
- You can prepare and store the spice mix ahead, but cooking everything fresh is best for perfect rice texture.
- → Why flatten the chicken first?
- This gets the chicken breasts to an even thickness, so they cook evenly and stay juicy. Skip this step if using thighs.