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his baked chicken and rice dish is the perfect go-to recipe for lazy days when you want a hearty meal with minimal effort. Just pop it in the oven and let it do its thing! As the rice soaks up the savory chicken juices and aromatic seasonings, it becomes irresistibly fluffy, while the chicken turns tender with a beautifully crispy skin—pure comfort food at its finest.
The Timeless Appeal of Chicken and Rice
For me, chicken and rice is a culinary classic that’s beloved across cultures. From aromatic biryanis to creamy casseroles and flavorful paellas, this duo never fails to deliver on taste and comfort. The magic lies in how the rice absorbs all the rich, flavor-packed juices, creating a meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing.
Pro Tip for Maximum Flavor
Want to amp up the nutrients? Add extra veggies to your mix! However, be sure to adjust the seasoning—some vegetables, like cabbage, baby marrow, tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower, release water as they cook. To maintain the perfect balance of flavors, reduce the chicken stock slightly and increase the salt as needed.
Choosing the Right Rice
The type of rice you use will slightly affect the final dish, but one key step remains essential—always wash your rice before cooking! For this bake, I used Spekko’s Saman White Rice, a high-quality variety from Uruguay. It’s known for its snow-white color, soft and slightly sticky texture, and ability to pair beautifully with rich, hearty meals.
A One-Pan Wonder for Any Occasion
This oven-baked chicken and rice isn’t just a recipe—it’s a warm, comforting hug on a plate. Easy, flavorful, and packed with goodness, it’s a meal the whole family will love. Stay tuned, tastebuds, because I’ll be sharing more quick and easy dinner recipes soon! Until then, enjoy this simple yet incredibly satisfying dish, made with love from The Big Tasty Bite—where every bite is all about comfort, flavor, and joy!




Sundried Tomato and Spinach Chicken Rice Bake
Equipment
- 1 ovenproof dish
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 8 large chicken thighs and drums cleaned, skin on *optional
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp organum or Italian herb mix
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp fine salt
Rice Bake
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 large onion diced
- 2-4 garlic cloves minced, *depends on personal preference
- 2 cups rice long grain, rinsed
- 3 ½ cup chicken stock lukewarm, high quality
- ⅓ cup sundried tomatoes about 10 halves, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp sundried tomatoes pickling liquid
- large Juice from 1 whole lemon
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
- ¼ cup cream *optional
- 1 ½ tsp salt *depends on how salty the chicken stock is
Basil Chimichurri
- Handful of fresh basil finely chopped
- 2 medium bird's eye chili finely chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Good pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180℃ / 350℉ no fan (middle rack).
- To a large bowl, add the chicken, olive oil, smoked paprika, white pepper, onion powder, salt and mix until fully coated. Set aside.
- Bring a large ovenproof dish to a medium-high heat. Add olive oil, butter and onions and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté until the garlic turn light brown in color.
- Make sure the rice has been rinsed, and properly drained. Add the drained rice to the garlic and sauté until for 5 minutes or until the rice turns light brown in color and smells toasty.
- Turn off the heat and pour in the lukewarm chicken stock, fresh lemon juice, sundried tomatoes, baby spinach, salt and cream (if desired). The cream will naturally add a creamier, richer consistency and taste to the final dish. Mix well. Note: Salt to taste before adding the raw chicken on top.
- Place the chicken pieces on tope (skin side up for the thighs). Cover with tin foil. Pop in the oven and bake for 35 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the basil Chimichurri.
- Remove the foil and return the chicken to oven. Bake for another 25 minutes. Broil/grill the chicken for the remaining 10 minutes to get a nice color on the rice and chicken.
- Finish off with a drizzle of the basil chimichurri dig in!