Paprika Chicken and Rice is an easy one-pan dinner with tender, golden-browned chicken thighs nestled into creamy paprika-seasoned rice. Red bell pepper, garlic, and spinach add color and flavor, while a touch of red pepper flakes gives it optional heat. For a fun variation, use a combination of rice and orzo instead of all rice.

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Paprika Chicken and Rice

Course: Dinner, Main Courses

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

Servings:

Calories: 650.7kcal

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Ingredients

4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
2 tablespoons paprika divided
Kosher salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil divided
2 cloves garlic minced
1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
1 cup rice or ½ cup rice and ½ cup orzo
1½ cups chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups baby spinach
1½ teaspoons red pepper flakes optiona

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Instructions

Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and 1½ tablespoons of the paprika.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken skin-side down and sear for 6–8 minutes, until the skin is golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate, skin-side up.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the red bell pepper and cook for 4–6 minutes, until slightly tender. Season with salt, pepper, the remaining ½ tablespoon paprika, and the red pepper flakes if using.
Stir in the rice, or rice and orzo combination. Add the chicken broth and heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Nestle the chicken thighs into the rice mixture, keeping the crispy skin above the liquid as much as possible. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
Remove the lid and check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. Fold the spinach into the rice and allow it to wilt.
Serve hot, spooning the creamy rice and vegetables around the chicken.

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Nutrition Disclaimer

Art of Cooking Recipes (Paulson Pursuits} is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.