Easy Spanish Rice and Chicken

This Easy Spanish Rice and Chicken recipe will make dinner more exciting than your typical baked chicken. The rice is what really takes center stage in this dish, while the chicken plays a delicious supporting role. If you've been searching for a new way to cook chicken, it's time you tried this recipe. Long-grain white rice is perfectly seasoned with tomatoes, paprika, garlic powder, peas, corn, and onions, among other ingredients, bringing a Spanish-inspired flavor to this otherwise ordinary chicken and rice dinner.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium -sized onion, chopped
2 large celery stalks, sliced
1 cup water
1 bay leaf
1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup frozen corn

Instructions

In a large, deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, onion, celery, and bay leaf, and cook 15 minutes, turning chicken occasionally to brown evenly.
Add water, tomato sauce, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder; bring to a boil. Add rice, and stir until completely coated in sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 25 to 30 minutes, or until rice is tender.
Add peas, cover, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until peas are heated through.

Your Recently Viewed Recipes

Rate

I have not made this yet so I cannot rate it.

We are adding your Comments.

Thank you! Your comment has been added.

We are sorry. There was an error tyring to post your rating and review.

Your comment will appear after our editors have had a chance to review it.

Cancel Reply to Comment

Thanks for your comment. Don't forget to share!

AuntKarolyn

May 08, 2018

This Easy Spanish Rice and Chicken recipe has everything I love about chicken recipes. It uses chicken thighs (my favorite) and it's a one pot wonder. It truly is easy to prepare and the flavors are terrific. Rice, chicken, veggies all together and ready in no time. Add a tossed green salad and dinner is served.

Rnbowgrl

Jul 27, 2017

Chicken and rice really do compliment each other regardless of how you decide to make it...and maybe it's just me, but I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what about this dish makes the rice Spanish. Perhaps if some peppers or a little salsa were added for a little spice, but the peas are definitely a nice touch. Yum! Hmmmm...now that I think about it, maybe the paprika is why? Either way, I'm a fan and am sure it'll be a big hit.

Southernman

Jun 14, 2017

I made this today instead of using crushed tomatoes I use spaghetti sauce. Also didn't us chicken thighs I use two cut find chicken breast. Instead of chili powder I used cayenne powder just little more then a 1/4 teaspoon. It came out awesome.

SissieSass

Apr 29, 2017

I love eating spanish rice, but my family is not so keen on the stuff. I think that making it homemade like in this dish could be the thing that opens up their eyes to the possibilities of using it more often in our Mexican dishes to add some variety and flavor.

Edmund K

Apr 25, 2017

This is a really appealing dish. I'm not entirely sure it's crushed tomatoes being used in the video. It does look a bit more like a thick tomato sauce. I'd be tempted to add some crushed garlic in place of the garlic powder. There's something about actual garlic that just kicks everything up a bit. I'd add in the garlic along with the other ingredients in Step 1

SunnyKat

Apr 19, 2017

Sounds really good. Spanish rice has always been one of my favorite go-to meals, and I definitely want to try this version. One question, though. In the ingredient list it says to use canned crushed tomatoes, but in the instructions it says to use tomato sauce. Which is correct? Either/or?

SunnyKat

Apr 19, 2017

Lynn K

Apr 18, 2017

We do not each much in the way of carbs but Spanish Rice is one of those things that everyone in our family loves! This is a really nice recipe and I particularly like that it uses chicken thighs which I much prefer to breasts. The only change I made was to add some chopped fresh chili to suit our particular taste but, other than that small addition, I followed the recipe exactly as it is. Give it a try, I am sure your family will enjoy it as much as mine did!

FoodLover

Apr 05, 2017

I love rice. Spicy rice is even better. I really like the sound of this Spanish rice chicken dish. I'm definitely going to make it. I usually buy ready-made Spanish rice in a box and just eat it like that, I like it so much. I am glad I found a recipe so I can make it myself. Adding in the chicken makes it a complete meal. I love the addition of the peas to give it a hint of sweetness.