Low Sodium Tomato-Free One-Pot Chicken and Rice

Total time1 hr 10 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time50 min

Low Sodium Tomato-Free One-Pot Chicken and Rice

Bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks get rubbed with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, then seared until the skin turns deep golden brown and crisp. The rice cooks right in the same pot, soaking up all the flavor from the browned bits, sautéed onion, and garlic before the chicken nestles back on top to finish in the oven. Low-sodium chicken broth, thyme, and a bay leaf build a savory, aromatic base without relying on any heavy-handed seasoning. Everything bakes together into one pot of tender, fall-apart chicken and fluffy, flavor-soaked rice, finished with a scatter of fresh parsley. It's an easy weeknight dinner that lets you control exactly how much seasoning goes in, making it a solid pick for anyone watching their added salt intake. One pot, minimal cleanup, and a comforting result every time.

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Ingredients

4 servings

2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks (about 4–6 pieces)
Heritage Farm Bone In Skin On Chicken Thighs
H-E-B Natural Bone-in Skin-on Chicken Thighs Trader Joe's All Natural Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs Hill Country Fare Bone-in Skin-on Chicken Thighs, Value Pack Wegmans Bone-In, Skin-On, Chicken Thighs, Raised without Antibiotics, FAMILY PACK
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1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
Chef's tip
Season to taste - salt substitutes can taste bitter in larger amounts, so start with less.
½ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf

For serving

2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, then rub the mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken.
2
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep oven-safe 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces skin-side down and sear undisturbed for 5–6 minutes, until the skin is deep golden brown and releases easily from the pan. Flip and sear the second side for 3 minutes, then transfer the chicken to a plate. The chicken will not be cooked through at this stage.

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