Portuguese Chicken and Rice Recipe
Portuguese Chicken and Rice is a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken cooked with aromatic garlic and traditional Portuguese spices, combined with rice that’s simmered to perfection. This comforting dish balances savory spices and rich chicken broth to create a satisfying and authentic taste of Portuguese cuisine.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rice
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
Garlic and Spices
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper if using. Rub the spices evenly over the chicken.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for about 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip and brown the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, reduce heat to medium, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add rice and broth: Pour in the rice and stir to coat grains with the aromatic mixture. Then, add chicken broth and stir well to combine.
- Simmer everything together: Return the chicken thighs to the pan, skin side up, nestling them into the rice mixture. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Rest before serving: Turn off the heat and let the dish rest covered for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve the chicken on top.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken with spices and garlic for at least 2 hours before cooking.
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for juicier meat and richer flavor.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level or omit for milder taste.
- Leftovers reheat well and make great next-day meals.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Portuguese chicken, chicken and rice, one-pot meal, paprika chicken, traditional Portuguese recipe, comfort food
