Paprika Chicken and Rice

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Paprika Chicken and Rice

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp chilli powder
1 tsp ground cumin
juice of 1 lemon
1 red onion
1 carrot
1 cinnamon stick
salt to taste
1 cup longrain rice
440ml chicken stock
200g baby spinach

Equipment

Large heavy-based frying pan with a lid
Large mixing bowl
Baking tray
Chopping board and knife
Measuring cups and spoons

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Directions

CHICKEN PREP AND FIRST COOK

Combine the tomato paste, half of the olive oil, paprika, chilli powder, ground cumin, lemon juice and a big pinch of salt in a large bowl.
Mix well, then add the chicken and toss to coat the chicken completely.
Place the remaining oil in a large heavy-based frying pan on medium heat.
Add the chicken, skin side down and cook for 6-8 minutes, until the chicken skin renders and starts to brown.
While the chicken is cooking, add the rice to a bowl of water, enough so it’s completely covered. Dice your onion and carrot and set aside.
Flip your chicken over to seal the other side and cook for another 30 -60 seconds. Transfer the chicken to a tray. It won’t be completely cooked at this stage but that’s okay as we’ll add it back to the pan soon.

COOK THE BASE

Deglaze the pan with a little of the stock, scraping off the fond from the bottom.
Turn the heat up to high. Add the diced onion to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until softened.
Add the cinnamon stick and stir for 30 seconds. Then add the carrots and stir through. Leave to simmer.
Drain the rice, add it to the pan and stir through the vegetables to combine well.
Return the chicken to the pan and add the remaining stock. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium low, cover with the lid and cook for 15 minutes.

FINISH AND SERVE

Remove the chicken and set aside on a tray. Discard the cinnamon stick.
Give the rice a stir and check for seasoning. Then add the spinach, cover with the lid again, turn off the heat and let sit for 2 minutes.
Take the lid off and slowly stir the spinach through the rice. Serve with the chicken on top of the rice.

Notes

Soak the rice first

Soaking the rice in cold water before adding it to the pan washes off excess surface starch, which helps the grains stay fluffy and separate rather than clumping together.

Deglazing the pan

After removing the chicken you’ll see caramelised bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, that’s called fond and it’s absolutely packed with flavour. Add a bit of stock to loosen the fond on the bottom of the pan. That fond going into the sauce is what gives this dish its depth.

Coat the rice in fat before adding the stock

Once the onion and carrot have softened, the drained rice goes in and is stirred through everything until every grain is coated in the spiced fat. That coating is what keeps the grains separate during the cook and carries the flavour right through the rice. It's a technique you'll see in Hainanese chicken rice and biryani too.

Don’t lift the lid

Once you cover the pan and drop to very low heat, resist the urge to peek or stir. Every time you lift the lid you release the steam the rice needs to cook properly.

Storage

Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat slowly in the oven in a casserole dish with a splash of water to loosen things up, or in the microwave until piping hot.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken thighs:

I always buy them bone-in and skin-on. The bone keeps the meat tender during cooking and the skin renders down beautifully in the pan, adding flavour and texture to the whole dish. You can use boneless, skinless thighs but you will lose some of that juiciness and depth. Chicken marylands or a combination of thighs and drumsticks also work great here.

Long grain rice:

I prefer long grain for this dish because it stays fluffy and separate throughout the cook. Basmati will also work if that’s what you have on hand. Medium or short grain can turn sticky and clump together, so I'd stick to long grain for the best result.

Chicken stock:

You could swap this for vegetable stock if needed, but chicken stock really is the best match here as it deepens the flavour of both the chicken and the rice.

Smoked paprika:

This is the hero ingredient of the dish, so it’s worth using a good quality one. Smoked paprika is made from dried, smoked red peppers and has a rich, deep flavour that’s quite different from regular sweet paprika, don’t substitute one for the other. You’ll find it in the spice aisle of most supermarkets. I like to use a Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón ahumado) for the best flavour.

FAQs

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

This dish is best made right before serving. The rice can absorb too much liquid and become mushy if it sits for too long. That said, leftovers reheat really well, so I’d recommend making a bigger batch and saving some for lunch the next day.

Is it spicy?

The chilli powder does add a mild heat to the dish. If you’re cooking for kids or just prefer no spice, reduce the amount or leave it out altogether. The smoked paprika will still give you plenty of flavour and colour without the heat.

What other vegetables can I add?

A diced capsicum or zucchini both work well at the same stage as the carrot. Capsicum especially leans into the paprika flavour, since paprika is just dried ground capsicum. You can also add peas at the same time as the spinach. I'd skip anything that needs a long cook like potato or pumpkin.

Can I make it vegetarian?

This dish relies heavily on the chicken and chicken stock for its flavour, so it doesn’t translate easily into a vegetarian version. You could experiment with chickpeas and vegetable stock, but it would be quite a different dish.

Can I make it gluten free?

This recipe is naturally gluten free as written. Just double-check the label on your chicken stock to be sure, as some brands may contain gluten.

What if I don’t have a lid for my pan?

Tear off a sheet of foil and press it tightly over the pan before reducing the heat. It won’t be quite as snug as a proper lid, but it will trap enough steam to cook the rice through. Just be careful lifting it off as the steam will be hot.