Ingredients
Chicken and Spices
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Rice
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 ounces canned artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 cup white rice (preferably jasmine rice)
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup crumbly feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the chicken and rice dish.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry using a paper towel to ensure better browning.
- Mix Spices: In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, ground mustard, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and ground black pepper; stir until well blended.
- Season Chicken: Evenly sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken thighs for flavorful seasoning.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven, skillet, or pot with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Set Chicken Aside: Remove the browned chicken from the pan and set it aside temporarily.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion to the same pan and cook for about 4 minutes until translucent. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring continuously to release aromas.
- Add Ingredients for Rice: Stir in the chopped artichoke hearts, rice, chicken stock, lemon juice, lemon zest, and baby spinach to the pan; combine everything thoroughly.
- Combine and Bake: Nestle the seared chicken thighs into the rice mixture. Cover the pan with a lid and place it in the preheated oven to bake for 30 minutes, allowing the rice to cook fully and flavors to meld.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven, sprinkle crumbly feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley over the top, and serve immediately for a warm, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe pot or Dutch oven with a lid to seamlessly transition from stovetop to oven.
- For best results, use jasmine rice as it cooks evenly and has a fragrant aroma.
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a nice sear.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with boneless skinless chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time as needed.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free