If you’re looking for a tried and true crowd-pleaser to feed your dinner guests, look no further.
Cooking dinner for a crowd, whether it be friends or family, can feel overwhelming, to say the least. Pulling off a satiating dinner that folks will rave about is no easy feat. Or, not usually anyway.
The best way to go in this scenario is sticking to easy-to-cook foods that go well with anything.
And it doesn’t get any easier or tastier than chicken.
Chicken does not require a longer cooking time compared to red meat.
Its meat is soft and tender and can be very flavorful depending on how you cook it and what you cook it with. It is also a healthy protein with less fat and cholesterol, yet as satiating.
For this recipe, you’re going to bake some chicken and rice.
Baking has many advantages. Since you’re cooking in a closed oven, the heat circulates within the area thus, cooking the food faster. It is also healthier compared to frying or grilling. Plus, baking not only improves but also packs your food with flavor. More nutrients are retained in baking, too!
Here’s what you’ll need for your baked chicken.
- 7 pieces chicken (bone-in) things
- Olive oil
- Chicken powder flavoring
- Seasoned pepper
- Freshly chopped parsley (or dried parsley flakes)
- Oregano
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Thyme
- Black pepper
Place chicken thighs in a mixing bowl.
Next, pour your extra virgin olive oil at the center of the thighs.
Then add the spices one by one.
Mix all ingredients and make sure every chicken is coated well.
Then, get a cast-iron skillet and place the chicken skin side down.
If you don’t have one, you can use a baking pan and line it with a baking sheet. Heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, it’s time to make the rice.
For the Rice:
- 2 cups white rice
- 1 1/2 cups hot chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Olive oil
- Chicken seasoning
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- 2 tablespoons butter
Mix all the ingredients in a baking pan.
You can add more seasoning according to your preference.
Cover it with foil and place it in the oven together with your chicken.
While waiting for the chicken and rice to finish, make the mushroom mix that you’ll add with your rice.
On another pan, melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter.
Add two cloves of minced garlic.
Then, add the mushroom of your choice, some chopped chives (dried chives if you don’t have fresh ones), and season with salt and pepper.
Stir until cooked.
Once the 45 minutes is up, flip the chicken over and continue to bake until the skin is golden brown and crisp.
Meanwhile, take the rice out of the oven.
Remove the foil, pour in the mushrooms, and mix.
Take the chicken out of the oven and place it on top of the rice.
It’s time to plate it up.
This recipe serves 3-7 persons depending on their appetite! The dish is so tasty; you might want to cook for some extra servings.
Get full visuals of the step-by-step process in the video below!
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