Chicken and Rice with Bacon

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this hearty and flavorful Chicken and Rice with Bacon recipe! Tender, golden-seared chicken thighs are nestled into a bed of savory rice infused with chicken broth, garlic, and onions, then finished with crispy, smoky bacon for the ultimate comforting dish. This one-pot recipe combines bold flavors and minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy families or anyone craving a satisfying homemade meal. With classic seasonings like paprika and thyme, this dish is rich with aromatic goodness, while the optional parsley garnish adds a fresh, vibrant touch. Ready in just under an hour, this crowd-pleasing recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste straight from your own kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2.5 cups chicken broth
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.

Step 2

Season the chicken thighs with paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper on both sides.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 4

Drain excess bacon grease from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add olive oil to the pan and heat over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 6

Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the uncooked rice, making sure it is evenly distributed across the skillet.

Step 7

Nestle the seared chicken thighs into the rice mixture, skin-side up. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).

Step 8

Chop the crispy bacon into small pieces and stir it into the rice just before serving.

Step 9

Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1592.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2445.9

Total Fat 125.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.3g
Cholesterol 533.5mg	0%
Sodium 5055.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 180.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.2g	0%
Total Sugars 6.5g
Protein 149.0g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 235.5mg	0%
Iron 11.5mg	0%
Potassium 2361.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.2%

Protein: 24.3%

Carbs: 29.5%