Chicken with Turmeric Rice

Chicken with Turmeric Rice is the perfect super easy weeknight dinner! Learn how to make chicken and rice in the oven – a family friendly recipe that’s on the table in 30 minutes!

 

Estimated reading time: 34 minutes

There’s nothing like prepping dinner, putting it in the oven, and walking away for awhile so you can get other things done. There’s no standing at the stove for hours with this Chicken with Turmeric Rice recipe – just a few minutes to brown the chicken and then into the oven it goes. You’ll have just enough time to throw together a side salad or some veggies, set the table, and round up the family for dinner, of course!

This is a one pan recipe that includes searing chicken thighs for a few minutes and then adding the rest of the ingredients to a cast iron pan to cook the chicken and rice in the oven. Turmeric is what gives the vibrant yellow colour and it gives a subtle earthy flavoured rice that compliments the full flavour of the chicken thighs.

These are just a few reasons we love this Chicken with Turmeric Rice!

1. It’s made in ONE PAN: A one pan meal is ideal to get a meal on the table quickly and makes for easy clean up afterwards.
2. It’s QUICK to MAKE: It’s such an easy weeknight meal. With just a few ingredients, this delicious recipe can be ready on your table in under 30 mins.
3. It is HEALTHY: A well-rounded meal with protein, carbs and veggies, it’s super filling and a total kid-pleaser!

Try these tips to make the BEST Chicken with Turmeric Rice!

Ensure your cast iron skillet is properly preheated over medium heat before adding ingredients. This promotes even cooking and helps prevent sticking.

Season the chicken and sear it in the skillet until both sides are golden brown. This step locks in juices and enhances flavor. After searing, remove the chicken and set it aside.

In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until softened and fragrant. This forms a flavourful base for the rice.

Add the rice to the skillet and stir it with the aromatics for a couple of minutes. Toasting the rice slightly enhances its texture and flavour.

Mix in turmeric and any additional spices, ensuring the rice is evenly coated. This step imparts a vibrant color and rich flavour to the dish.

Pour in chicken broth or stock, stirring to combine. Nestle the seared chicken pieces on top of the rice, skin-side up, allowing the flavours to meld as they cook together.

Once cooked, let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavours to meld and the rice to set properly.

We love making this One Pan Chicken with Turmeric Rice in this tried and true Cast Iron Pan (paid link)! It sears the chicken just perfectly and has such even heat distribution, which cooks the rice in the oven evenly. And it’s easy on the budget too, which any family would love. It’s one of our most loved kitchen tools!!

Cooking rice in the oven, especially in a cast iron pan, can seem intimidating. It’s truly so easy – just build some flavour by frying some onions, bell peppers, or other veggies until slightly softened, add a bit of butter or oil (for flavour!), some spices or herbs, toast the rice just a bit on the stovetop, add the liquid, and throw it in the oven! It’s that’s simple and you can prepare it in minutes!

If you are having trouble with this chicken with turmeric rice recipe, follow the solutions we recommend below.

Overcrowding the pan with additional vegetables or too many chicken thighs immersed in the rice can trap in the steam and lead to soggy food and will prevent browning. For even cooking and crisp texture, cook in batches if necessary.

First, preheat the pan on medium heat. Once it is heated, add the chicken and other ingredients. This allows the ingredients to cook evenly and not stick to the pan.

Follow the recipe for proper cooking temperature. If the cast iron pan is used with heat that’s too high, the chicken and rice in the oven will stick and burn to the pan.

The chicken skin won’t brown very well when the pan is covered, so be sure to brown the chicken uncovered.

To make this chicken with turmeric rice you will need these items on hand (paid links):

• cast iron skillet
• chef’s knife
• Cutting Board
• liquid measuring cups
• measuring cups and spoons
• Tongs

To make Chicken with Turmeric Rice, you will need these ingredients (paid links):

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 6 chicken thighs (bone in, skin on) use boneless, skinless if desired
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
• 1 1/4 cups long grain white rice
• 4 cups chicken stock we use low fat, low sodium
• fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish

Try one of these tasty variations on the basic Chicken with Turmeric Rice recipe!

1. Spicy Indian – Add garam masala and ground cardamom alongside the turmeric. Toss in carrots and green peas, then garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and a drizzle of fresh lime juice.
2. Coconut Thai – Substitute some of the chicken stock with coconut milk, add in ginger, snap peas, corn, and red bell peppers and garnish with cilantro or fresh Thai basil.
3. Lemon Herb Chicken– Add in green beans or asparagus and lemon slices. Use turmeric, along side garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Garnish with thyme or fresh dill.
4. Mexican – Use spices such as chili powder, turmeric, cumin, and smoked paprika. Add in black beans, chopped bell peppers, corn, and diced tomatoes. Garnish with green onions or fresh cilantro.

We hope you love this Chicken with Turmeric Rice as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite one-pan oven-to-table weeknight meal? We’d LOVE to know!  

• Easy One Pan Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Mexican Rice
• Easy One Pan Maple Glazed Pork with Apples and Onions
• Easy 20-Minute Tomato Asparagus Carbonara Pasta
• Easy Baked Salsa Chicken and Rice
• One Pan Spanish-Style Chicken and Rice
• Easy Coconut Lime Rice
• Easy Korean Beef Rice Bowls