Mexican Chicken With Rice
A flavorful Mexican-inspired chicken and rice dish featuring tender chicken, aromatic spices, peas, and rice, perfect for a comforting family meal or dinner gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sprinkle chicken with salt, paprika, and pepper.
- Place the chicken in a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine chicken broth, rice, chopped onion, garlic salt, oregano, bay leaf, and frozen peas in a baking dish.
- After 30 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven.
- Place the partially cooked chicken on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover the dish with foil and continue baking for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and chicken is cooked through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more vibrant flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the spices and a bit of lime juice for 30 minutes before baking. You can substitute brown rice for white rice, but adjust the cooking time accordingly as brown rice takes longer to cook. Adding a dash of cumin can also enhance the dish's flavor, making it reminiscent of other Mexican recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This Mexican Chicken With Rice pairs beautifully with a side of fresh guacamole or a light salad. For an extra kick, serve it alongside homemade salsa or sour cream. You can also enjoy it with warm tortillas or as a filling for Chicken Burrito, adding another layer of deliciousness to your meal.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil until heated through, ensuring the chicken remains moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mexican Chicken With Rice contains roughly 279 calories, with 8g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is a good source of protein (16% of the Daily Value), iron (14% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2348mg per serving (102% 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 other types of chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use bone-in or skin-on chicken if you prefer, but adjust the cooking time to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. Just remember that bone-in pieces may take longer to bake than skinless chicken.
What can I use instead of chicken broth?
You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option, or use water with a bouillon cube for a quick fix. This will still give you a flavorful base for the rice.
How can I add more vegetables to this dish?
Feel free to include other vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or carrots to the rice mixture. Just chop them into small pieces and add them along with the peas to make the dish more nutritious and colorful.
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).