One-Pan Baked Chicken with Cranberry Apple Rice Pilaf

Name: One-Pan Baked Chicken with Cranberry Apple Rice Pilaf
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 5
Ingredients: 5 pieces chicken thigh fillets; 1 small onion; 1 clove garlic; 50 g unsalted butter; 1 1/2 cup long-grain white rice; 1 1/4 cup apple juice; 1 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1 cup dried cranberries; 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped; 1 red apple; 3/4 tsp dried rosemary; 1 tsp dried thyme; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1/3 cup apricot jam; 2 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp all spice; 1/4 tsp paprika; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 spray oil spray; 1 handful fresh parsley

A cozy, all-in-one dinner featuring juicy glazed chicken thighs nestled in a fragrant rice pilaf with sweet cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and fresh apples. This effortless meal combines savory and sweet flavors for a perfect weeknight feast.

Servings5 Portions

Prep Time15 Mins

Cook Time65 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

chicken thigh fillets
5 pieces
small onion
1
garlic
1 clove
unsalted butter
50 g
long-grain white rice
0.5 cup
apple juice
0.3 cup
chicken broth
0.5 cup
dried cranberries
1 cup
walnuts, roughly chopped
1 cup
red apple
1
dried rosemary
0.8 tsp
dried thyme
1 tsp
salt
0.8 tsp
pepper
0.5 tsp
apricot jam
0.3 cup
Dijon mustard
1 tbsp
garlic powder
0.5 tsp
all spice
0.5 tsp
paprika
0.3 tsp
black pepper
0.3 tsp
oil spray
1 spray
fresh parsley
1 handful

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) for a standard oven or 180°C (350°F) for a fan-forced/convection oven. Prepare a 9x13 inch (22x33cm) baking dish.

Scatter the finely chopped onion and minced garlic into the baking dish and top with the butter. Bake for 15 minutes until the onion is softened and fragrant, then remove from the oven.

While the onion is baking, prepare the chicken. If the chicken thighs have skin, remove it to ensure the rice pilaf doesn't become overly greasy.

In a small bowl, whisk together the apricot jam, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, allspice, paprika, and black pepper to create a sticky glaze. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and turn to coat them thoroughly.

To the baking dish with the onions, add the long-grain rice, apple juice, chicken broth, dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.