Mexican-Inspired Chicken Thigh and Rice Skillet Recipe

Mexican-Inspired Chicken Thigh and Rice Skillet Recipe

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Chicken and Rice with Peas

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • teaspoon ground cumin
  • teaspoon smoked paprika
  • teaspoon ground coriander
  • teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
  • medium green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cups long grain white rice, uncooked
  • teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (such as RO*TEL), liquid drained and reserved
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
  • cup water
  • 1 cups frozen green peas, thawed

Directions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine salt, granulated garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, and teaspoon black pepper.

Step 2: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Evenly sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of the chicken thighs.

Step 3: In a deep-sided 11-inch nonstick skillet, combine butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook until the butter is melted and foamy. Swirl the butter and oil together, then add the chicken thighs in a single layer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until just browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, keeping it warm.

Step 4: Lower the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the onion starts to turn translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 5: Stir in the rice and chili powder. Continue cooking and stirring until the rice begins to pick up some color, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 6: Add the drained tomatoes and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook and stir for about 1 minute.

Step 7: Pour in the reserved tomato liquid, chicken broth, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.

Step 8: Place the browned chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture, ensuring they are not submerged. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes.

Step 9: After 20 minutes, remove the cover and increase the heat to medium. Gently stir in the thawed peas. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken should read at least 165F (74C).

Step 10: Serve warm and enjoy!

Cook's Note

If you prefer a milder dish, omit the chili powder and use mild RO*TEL. If you are not using a nonstick skillet, you may need to add extra oil to prevent sticking.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 426
Total Fat 13g
Saturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 76mg
Sodium 722mg
Total Carbohydrate 49g
Dietary Fiber 4g
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 26g
Vitamin C 46mg
Calcium 55mg
Iron 4mg
Potassium 458mg

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Comments

BrightStir3473

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

First time I made it, it was OK, but flavors were not brilliant and Mexican to my taste. Second time I made the following changes: 1) Doubled spice blend amounts and added 1/2 tsp chilli and chipotle as well. 2) After seasoning chicken, plated, covered with saran wrap for a few hours. Seasoning stayed on chicken thighs better during browning and flavor was into chicken. 3) Used diced bell and jalapeno peppers 4) Used Zatarain's Spanish Rice packet. 5) Used Rotella drained juice and chicken stock in the 1 1/2 cup quantity on Zatarain's package. This was more flavorful than my first attempt. Try it and enjoy.

Sheila

02/27/2024 11:58:37 PM

Took the advice of others and increased the spices. Turned out well with this change.

Bryan Bennett

05/16/2023 12:13:02 AM

Very tasty! I agree with commenters who upped the spices a bit. Will have this again.

Mary Torres

03/07/2025 09:00:53 PM

So easy, I could make it every week.

Daniel CIcero

01/30/2025 09:25:12 PM

Bland. Need to increase the spices.

DSA1

12/30/2024 02:46:58 AM

This is my second time making this recipe! It’s a great recipe just as written. Every one in the family loved it, and the new son in law really liked it too! I cooked it in my cast iron skillet.

Michael Perez

10/04/2024 11:01:18 PM

Everyone at home loved it.

Amber Moser

01/18/2023 03:21:04 PM

The chicken wasn't as tasty as I thought it would be but the rice was amazing. I also used chicken with bones

BrightFig2860

11/30/2022 06:08:29 PM

This was a huge hit. I used half thighs and half breasts. I also used a regular stainless-steel pan rather than non-stick and it was perfectly fine.

Jamey and Alicia

08/17/2022 11:37:42 PM

Quadrupled the amount of all spices and it was amazing! My whole family loved it.

CraftyKiwi5505

05/19/2022 06:05:10 PM

great flavor easy to make will make it again

graniteman63

11/19/2021 01:20:42 AM

Very well done as is. I am impressed.

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