Description
A quick and flavorful 30-minute recipe featuring juicy chicken thighs, fluffy rice, and a creamy homemade garlic sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup white or brown rice
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions, chopped fresh parsley, toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes for white rice (40 minutes for brown rice). Fluff with a fork and keep covered.
- While the rice cooks, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs lightly with salt and pepper. Cook chicken without moving for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from pan and let rest for a couple of minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Divide cooked rice among bowls. Top with sliced chicken and drizzle generously with garlic sauce. Garnish with optional toppings if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for juiciness and flavor; brown rice adds 15 minutes to cooking time. To mellow garlic flavor, roast garlic before mincing or reduce cloves to 3. Add a splash of water or broth to loosen thick sauce. Let chicken rest after cooking for juiciness. Store components separately for best reheating results. Do not freeze garlic sauce as it may separate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken rice bowl, garlic sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, healthy chicken recipe, meal prep