Chicken With Rice And Raisins
Flavorful chicken with rice and raisins combines savory, sweet, and aromatic spices, perfect for family dinners and comforting gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 lb. frying chicken, cut up ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 c. uncooked rice
- 1/2 c. seedless raisins ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. garlic salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. paprika ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chicken stock base ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. water ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the chicken on all sides in hot vegetable oil.
- Remove the chicken from the casserole dish.
- Add chopped onion to the drippings and brown lightly.
- Add remaining ingredients: rice, raisins, garlic salt, seasoned salt, oregano, paprika, butter, stewed tomatoes, chicken stock base, and water; mix well.
- Place the chicken back into the casserole dish on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover and bake in a hot oven at 400°F for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water if necessary.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs before cooking. If you don’t have chicken stock base, substitute with low-sodium chicken broth. For a twist, you can include diced bell peppers or nuts like almonds to the rice mixture. This dish is versatile and can be adjusted to your preferences, similar to Chicken Casserole For Buffet.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad to balance the richness of the chicken and rice. It pairs beautifully with Orange Glazed Chicken Breasts for a more elaborate meal. For a complete dining experience, consider offering crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken and rice mixture in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, adding a splash of water to keep the rice moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Rice And Raisins contains roughly 2075 calories, with 33g protein, 252g carbohydrates, and 136g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (521% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2064mg per serving (90% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but keep in mind that it requires a longer cooking time. You may need to increase the amount of water and the baking time to ensure the rice is cooked through. A general guideline is to add an additional 15-20 minutes to the baking time.
What can I substitute for raisins?
If you’re not a fan of raisins, you can substitute them with dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots for a different flavor profile. These alternatives will add a nice sweetness to the dish, complementing the savory elements beautifully.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the rice mixture and brown the chicken a day in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble them before baking. Just be sure to adjust cooking time if it's cold from the fridge, as it may take longer to reach the proper temperature.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).