Childhood Favourite: Chicken Baked Rice
I love baked rice so much! The browned and melted cheese together with all the ingredients coated in tangy tomato sauce really hits the spot for me. This isn’t just a favourite from my childhood, I still love it now and I’m happy this dish has earned a permanent spot on our recipe blog:)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 to 35 minutes
I’ll divide this baked rice recipe into 2 parts - 1) Grilled chicken and 2) Baked rice. Grilled chicken will always be my protein topping of choice, but feel free to add your own! You can do popcorn chicken, seaweed chicken, beef, fish, etc! Make it as healthy or indulgent as you wish~
The amazing thing about this baked rice recipe is that you can prep the ingredients in the fridge beforehand and enjoy the dish fresh at anytime! It doesn’t take long to make in the oven so it’s an awesome dinner idea for yourself or the family on a busy weekday.
Ingredients for Baked/Grilled Chicken
400g boneless chicken thighs
Extra virgin olive oil
Lemon juice (optional)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 - 1.5 tsp salt
1 - 1.5 tsp sugar
Black pepper
1 tsp italian herbs
Method for Baked/Grilled Chicken
Preheat oven to 185ºC
In a small bowl, squeeze a generous amount of olive oil and lemon juice. Then add all the dry seasonings, except black pepper.
Mix everything well until a watery paste, add more olive oil if needed.
Pat dry chicken thighs with a paper towel and lay them on a baking tray
Apply the paste evenly onto the chicken thighs and crack fresh black pepper
Bake for 15 minutes, then switch to Grill mode on the oven for 3 - 5 minutes to crisp the top of the chicken thighs
Let it cool (if needed) before cutting into strips or cubes for the baked rice (this step is optional too)
Notes
I used extra virgin olive oil infused with lemon, it’s a great option if you have it! Feel free to use other types of infused olive oils too:)
It’s also okay to undercook the chicken thighs a little as it will be further cooked when you make your baked rice later. I personally don’t care because I use these grilled chicken thighs in other meals too.
You can make a big batch and fridge it until you are ready to use it in our baked rice or with other carbs
Ingredients for Baked Rice
Cooked rice (or pasta)
Pasta sauce - we have a homemade recipe, or you can use your favourite from the supermarket
Protein topping/Grilled chicken
Vegetable topping of choice - I usually go with broccoli or mixed veggies
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Method for Baked Rice
Preheat oven to 190ºC
In an oven-safe baking dish, add rice/pasta, then vegetables followed with chicken pieces
Add pasta sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese generously to cover the entire surface
Bake until cheese melts fully and turns golden brown
Notes
I usually use overnight rice, but fresh rice works as well! Just remember to precook it beforehand
If you’re using pasta, it’s recommended to undercook them for 1-2 minutes because the baking time in the oven may soften it further
I usually add vegetables before protein so the moisture does not disrupt the cheese from crisping up nicely, but in the general scheme of things, the order doesn’t matter. You can do without vegetables in your baked rice too!
I did not take note of the exact time needed to bake the cheese to golden brown, but I assume it’ll take 15 - 20 minutes! It’s best to check on yours regularly as we all have different ovens:) Cook time will vary between built-in and toaster ovens!
I hope you try this at home! I can eat this multiple times a week as it contains carbs, protein and veggies. The cheese and textures makes it so not boring + it’s entirely cooked in the oven so I feel like I don’t do much in terms of cooking & cleaning.
Shop some of our groceries and kitchen tools in this recipe:
Paper towel that won’t stick to your meats or tear
