Description
This flavorful Chicken Rice Feta Tomatoes recipe combines tender chicken pieces with fragrant herbs, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy feta cheese. Cooked all in one skillet with aromatic garlic and chicken broth, it’s a delicious Mediterranean-inspired main course that’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rice and Seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Finishing Touches
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, season chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to ensure even flavoring.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it to maintain a pleasant aroma.
- Toast the rice: Stir in the uncooked rice and toast it for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps to enhance the rice’s flavor and texture.
- Add broth and spices: Pour in the chicken broth and add the dried oregano, dried basil, paprika, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer the rice: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed completely.
- Combine chicken and tomatoes: Stir in the cooked chicken pieces and halved cherry tomatoes. Cover and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the tomatoes soften slightly, melding their sweetness with the savory dish.
- Finish the dish: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle the lemon juice over the top to add brightness.
- Add feta and parsley: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley over the dish just before serving to add creamy texture and fresh herbal notes.
Notes
- You can substitute brown rice for a nuttier flavor and added fiber, but increase the cooking time and add more broth as needed.
- Add spinach or zucchini during the last few minutes of cooking for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- For extra richness, drizzle a little extra olive oil over the finished dish before serving.
