Go Back
A baking dish filled with golden brown baked chicken and rice, ready to serve.

Smoky Paprika & Tomato Baked Chicken and Rice

This one-pan dish features juicy chicken baked with flavorful rice, diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, and cumin, creating a hearty and aromatic meal perfect for any night of the week.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice (e.g., Basmati, Jasmine) rinsed
  • 3.5 - 4 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven
  • Lid or aluminum foil

Method
 

Preheat & Sear
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and season the chicken generously with salt and black pepper.
Brown Chicken
  1. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-7 minutes until golden, then flip and sear for 2-3 minutes more before removing and setting aside.
Build Flavor
  1. In the same skillet, sauté onion and red bell pepper for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in smoked paprika and cumin for 1 minute, then add the undrained diced tomatoes.
Add Rice & Liquid
  1. Stir the rinsed rice into the tomato mixture, then pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
Assemble & Bake
  1. Place browned chicken pieces skin-side up on top of the rice mixture, then cover the skillet tightly with a lid or foil and bake for 30 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
Finish Baking
  1. Uncover and continue baking for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender, liquid is absorbed, and chicken is cooked through (165°F/74°C). If rice is still firm, add more broth and re-cover for a few minutes.
Rest & Serve
  1. Let the dish rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable. Feel free to add other vegetables like corn or peas during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. For extra spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the paprika and cumin. Ensure your skillet is large enough to comfortably hold all ingredients. Rice cooking times can vary, so keep an eye on it during the final baking stage.