Spiced Chicken Thighs with Cilantro Lime Rice

Ingredients

- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Rub
In a small bowl, combine 1 1/2 teaspoons of chili powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well.

2. Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Rub the spice mixture generously over both sides of the chicken thighs, ensuring even coating.

3. Cook the Chicken
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stove. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down if using skin-on, and cook for about 6-7 minutes until golden brown. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for an additional 6 minutes or until fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken and set aside to rest.

4. Sauté the Aromatics
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent and fragrant.

5. Cook the Rice
Add the rice to the skillet with the sautéed onion and garlic. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Toast the rice for 2 minutes, stirring often.

6. Simmer the Rice
Add the lime zest and chicken stock to the rice mixture. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-18 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

7. Finish the Dish
Remove the skillet from heat. Fluff the rice with a fork and gently stir in the chopped cilantro and lime juice.

8. Plate and Serve
Slice the rested chicken thighs. Spoon the cilantro lime rice onto serving plates and top with the sliced chicken. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired.

Total Time

PT45M
45 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Spiced chicken, cilantro lime rice, chicken dinner, stove cooking, easy recipe, cumin chicken, family meal, weeknight dinner, flavorful rice, healthy cuisine

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 1680 calories

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