Chicken and Rice Bake
This comforting bake layers chicken thighs, rice, and mushrooms in a savory herb broth, all in one dish.
Sodium note
Built on low-sodium broth and fresh mushrooms instead of canned cream soup, a classic sodium bomb.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, unbrined/unenhanced
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Method
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F.
- 2
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown chicken thighs 3 minutes per side; remove and set aside.
- 3
Add remaining oil, onion, and mushrooms to the pan; sauté 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- 4
Stir in rice, thyme, and pepper, coating it in the pan drippings, then pour in chicken broth and stir to combine.
- 5
Nestle chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture, cover with a lid or foil, and bake 30-35 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F.
- 6
Let rest 5 minutes, then stir in lemon juice and top with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition (estimated, per serving)
- Calories
- 395
- Protein
- 29g
- Carbs
- 40g
- Fat
- 13g
- Sodium
- 110 mg
Nutrition and sodium information is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredients, brands, serving sizes and preparation methods. Always check the labels on the products you buy.
Substitutions
- Use brown rice instead of white, adding 20 extra minutes of baking time and 1/2 cup more broth.
- Swap chicken thighs for bone-in, skin-on pieces for extra richness.
- Use shiitake mushrooms for a deeper, earthier flavor.
Tips
- Slicing mushrooms thick keeps them meaty and prevents mushiness during baking.
- A splash of lemon juice at the end brightens the whole dish so it doesn't taste flat without salt.
- Use a Dutch oven if you don't have an oven-safe skillet.
New to cooking without salt? Start with our beginner guide and 25 ways to add flavor without salt.
