Description

No Peek Chicken and Rice is a simple, one-pot dinner that combines tender chicken thighs, flavorful long grain white rice, and wholesome vegetables for a comforting, family-friendly meal. Designed for busy weeknights, this recipe requires minimal effort and no stirring or peeking during cooking, allowing you to enjoy a delicious, savory dish with very little hands-on time.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

4 bone-in chicken thighs, skin on or off

Grains & Broth

1 cup long grain white rice
2 1/4 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)

Aromatics & Vegetables

1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix

Oils & Seasonings

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried herbs (thyme or oregano)

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Season the chicken thighs generously with salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Chop the onion and mince the garlic finely. Measure the rice and have the chicken broth ready.
Sauté Aromatics and Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add the chicken thighs and brown on both sides for 3-4 minutes per side, sealing in the juices.
Add Rice and Broth: Pour the dry long grain rice into the pot and stir quickly to coat it with the flavors from the pan. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the rice is fully submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Cover and Cook Without Peeking: Place a tight-fitting lid on the pot and reduce the heat to low. Cook undisturbed for 25-30 minutes. This step is critical to locking in moisture and developing layers of flavor, so avoid lifting the lid or stirring.
Add Vegetables and Finish Cooking: After 25 minutes, sprinkle frozen peas and carrots over the top without stirring. Replace the lid and continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, until the vegetables are warmed through and the rice is tender.

Notes

Use bone-in chicken thighs to keep the meat juicy and infuse extra flavor into the dish.
Do not lift the lid or stir during cooking; this preserves steam and ensures perfect texture.
Choose a pot with a tight-fitting heavy lid to trap steam effectively.
Let the dish rest covered off the heat for a few minutes before serving to set the flavors.
Adjust the amount of chicken broth slightly depending on your rice brand or type for ideal moisture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop, One-Pot
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: chicken, rice, one-pot meal, easy dinner, no peek cooking, gluten free, weeknight meal, family-friendly