Mediterranean Chicken and Rice
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
With summer time weather in full force, we are craving fresh and healthy meals like this easy and flavorful Mediterranean Chicken and Rice. ⭐️
This recipe does require you to turn the oven on for ~35 minutes. I know ovens and summer time is a bad combo but for this dinner it is so worth it!
I’m all about using the cast iron skillet to whip up dinners. If it can be made using one pan/one skillet/one bowl, I’m in. I think we can all agree that less dishes make us all happier people. 😂
If you’re craving more Mediterranean meals, we love this Mediterranean Salmon and this Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe too! They are both delicious warm weather recipes.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken thighs: We love using skinless, boneless chicken thighs for this meal. Makes it easier to cut up and eat once it’s done!
- Rice: Jasmine rice or a long grain variety. This recipe has not been tested with brown rice.
- Seasonings: you’ll need cumin, turmeric and cinnamon for the yellow rice. For the chicken, dried oregano, dried parsley, salt, pepper and paprika.
- Onion: Be sure to finely dice the onion so there isn’t large chunks of onion in the yellow rice.
How to make Mediterranean Chicken
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium sized bowl, mix chicken thighs with oregano, parsley, paprika, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Heat cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add in olive oil, then place seasoned chicken onto cast iron skillet (or the pan you are using) and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Chicken won’t cook completely, that’s OK because it will be going into the oven to cook all the way!
- Remove the chicken from the cast iron and set side on a plate. Keep the cast iron on medium heat, melt the butter and add in diced onion. Cook for about 2-3 minutes and then stir in garlic.
- Then, add in the uncooked rice and stir for 30 seconds. Then add in the chicken broth, turmeric, cumin and cinnamon, stir.
- Place chicken back in pan on top of the uncooked rice. Cover with foil and bake in your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F and rice is cooked.
- Garnish with parsley and other garnish suggestions and enjoy!
Mediterranean Chicken FAQ
What if I don’t have a cast iron pan?
You can use a regular deep frying pan too!
How do I season my cast iron skillet?
Scrub cast iron well in hot soapy water. Dry thoroughly. Spread a thin layer of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the cast iron. Place it upside down on a middle oven rack at 375°. (Place foil on a lower rack to catch drips.) Bake 1 hour; let cool in the oven
What are commonly used Mediterranean ingredients?
A lot of basil, cucumbers, dill, fennel, feta cheese, garlic, honey, lemon, mint, olive oil, oregano, yogurt.
What is yellow rice?
This yellow rice is the best rice I’ve ever had. We made it over Christmas and we are now obsessed!
Use Jasmine rice! Jasmine rice is naturally fragrant and has the most wonderfully rich, mellow, and almost nutty flavor. Adding in the turmeric not only gives it a beautiful glowing yellow color but it adds a richness to the dish. Add in cumin so it adds to the nutty flavor of the jasmine rice!
What rice can I use if I don’t have jasmine?
Any white long grain white rice works!
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes! I would slice them in half lengthwise to make them thinner and easier to cook!
More chicken and rice recipes you will love:
shop this post
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Mediterranean Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 lb. Chicken Thighs, boneless, skinless (or ~5 chicken thighs)
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried parsley
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 lemon, juiced (~1/4 cup)
- 1 Tbsp. Olive oil
For the yellow rice:
- 1 cup Jasmine or Basmati white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 2 Tbsp. butter, unsalted
- 1/2 cup white onion, diced (or yellow onion is ok too!)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp. turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- fresh parsley for garnish
Garnish ideas: kalamata olives, feta cheese, fresh parsley, lemon zest, diced tomatoes
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. In a medium sized bowl, mix chicken thighs with oregano, parsley, paprika, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Heat cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add in olive oil, then once hot place seasoned chicken onto cast iron skillet (or the pan you are using) and cook for ~3-4 minutes on each side. Chicken won’t cook completely, that’s OK because it will be going into the oven to cook all the way!
- Remove the chicken from the cast iron and set aside on a plate. Keep the cast iron on medium heat, melt the butter and add in diced onion. Cook for about 2-3 minutes and then stir in garlic.
- Then, add in the uncooked rice and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth, turmeric, cumin and cinnamon, stir. Place chicken back in pan on top of the uncooked rice and turn the heat off.
- Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F and rice is cooked. Taste rice and adjust seasonings, adding more salt or pepper as desired. Garnish with parsley and other garnishes you prefer and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Dinner then Dessert.
- This recipe serves 4, depending on your appetite. When Cameron and I are really hungry…we can eat this entire meal on our own, haha!
We love this dish! It is so tasty with all the right flavors for a delicious meal. We will be making this again soon. Only next time we’ll increase the amount!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! We always want leftovers of this one too, it disappears fast! hehe thank you!!
I’ve made this multiple time and it’s damn good. My husband says he hates Mediterranean (really because of the olives), but when I tell him I’m making this he gets excited. It’s so easy. So flavorful. 10/10 recommend 👌
I love that! hehe thank you sooo much!
This looks so good! Going to make this weekend. Can drumsticks be used instead of chicken thighs?
Thank you! I have never used drumsticks, but I bet it could work. Let me know how it goes for you! 🙂
Okay this is yummmmmy!
Made a few substitutions- didn’t have rice so used quinoa, didn’t have Paprika so used chili, and used unsalted broth. So good! Oh and I just made it on the stove top
Thank you so much! I am so glad the quinoa worked out I need to try it that way next time 🙂
I made this for dinner last night and it was so good!! I’m looking forward to eating the leftovers for lunch today. This will definitely be a staple meal in our house. Easy and delicious, just the way I like it!
yayyy I am so glad!! Thank you so much 🙂
Amazing recipe, definitely a go to!! Love that it’s gluten free friendly, and basically a one “pot” recipe! Thank you for this!!
yayyy! Thank you sooo so much Lauren 🙂
This was so delicious and so easy to make! Holy Moly! Definitely becoming a dinnertime staple in my house. I love that is’s a lot of ingredients that are always around the house so you don’t need a big grocery trip.
Hi Sammy! Thank you so much!! This is a favorite in our house, too! 🙂
This recipe is amazing!! My partner has never devoured something so fast and continue to after he was full. Needless to say someone was jealous when I took the remaining leftovers for lunch the next day 🤣 this will truly be a weeknight staple for us.
Hi Wendy! This made me laugh! hehe so glad it was thoroughly enjoyed. My husband gets equally as excited when I make it too. Thank you!! xo, Tawnie
Hi Tawnie. We love this recipe so much. Possibly our favorite dish ever. I had a question — have you ever mad just the rice? If so, do you know I would go about that? We love the rice and want to have it as a side dish with other meals if we can. Thank you so much.
Hi Katie! Thank you so much! I haven’t made just the rice, but I’m sure I can figure it out. I will add to my list! xo, Tawnie
Thank you so much, Tawnie!! — Katie
Made this for dinner tonight and everyone devoured it!! Love this recipe and the fact that it’s a one pot meal!! ❤️
Hi Elizabeth! Aw, I am sooo so glad. Thank you so much. It’s a favorite around here too. One pot meals are game changers, right?! xo, Tawnie