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Lightened-Up Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy one-skillet dinner featuring tender chicken thighs and fluffy rice cooked in a savory garlic butter broth. This lightened-up version is ready in 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add chicken thighs in a single layer. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted and foamy, add minced garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add rice to the skillet and stir for 1-2 minutes until grains become translucent at the edges and smell nutty.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, water, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Nestle the chicken thighs back into the rice. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer undisturbed for 18-20 minutes.
  7. Turn off heat and let the skillet sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove lid, fluff rice with a fork, squeeze lemon juice over everything, and sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan (if using).

Notes

Don’t skip browning the chicken—it creates deep flavor. Use fresh garlic, not pre-minced. For best results, don’t lift the lid while the rice cooks. If rice is still crunchy after 20 minutes, add 2-3 tablespoons hot water, cover, and steam for 5 more minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken, chicken and rice, one skillet dinner, 30 minute meal, lightened up, easy dinner, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/lightened-up-garlic-butter-chicken-and-rice-easy-30-minute-dinner/