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Baked Chicken with Spiced Rice and Toasted Nuts

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Baked Chicken with Spiced Rice and Toasted Nuts is a fragrant and satisfying Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring tender, oven-baked chicken served over aromatic basmati rice, infused with warm spices and topped with crunchy toasted almonds and pine nuts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and paprika. Rub the spice mix onto the chicken thighs.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  4. Add remaining olive oil to the skillet and sauté the chopped onion until soft, about 4 minutes.
  5. Add the basmati rice and stir to coat in the oil and onion mixture. Toast for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a simmer, and place the seared chicken thighs on top of the rice.
  7. Cover the skillet tightly with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
  8. While the chicken bakes, toast the almonds and pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat until golden, about 2–3 minutes. Set aside.
  9. Remove chicken from the oven, let rest for a few minutes. Fluff the rice and sprinkle with toasted nuts and chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken thighs with drumsticks or breasts, adjusting the baking time as needed.
  • Raisins or chopped dried apricots can be added to the rice for a sweet contrast.
  • Use ghee instead of butter for a more authentic flavor profile.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken, spiced rice, toasted nuts, Middle Eastern dinner, one-pot meal

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