SANDRA'S EASY ONE-PAN CHICKEN THIGH and RICE CREOLE BAKE

First, I sear the chicken thighs, then add all the other ingredients,

cover and bake for 50 minutes = absolute perfection with crispy, moist chicken

and heavenly seasoned rice!

Servings: 3-4

Prep: 5 Mins.

Cook  10 Mins.

Bake: 50 Mins.

Rest: 10 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Spice blend (divided):

2 teaspoons Creole seasoning (I use Tony Chachere's in the green container)

1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoning salt

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

Chicken:

3-4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, (mine are from Costco the 3-pack tends to come with 3/4 thighs)

1/2 of above spice blend mixture (reserve other 1/2 for rice, below)

1 teaspoon Mazola oil

Plus, 1 tablespoon Mazola oil for searing

Rice:

1 cup raw Calrose rice (short-grain)

Remaining 1/2 of spice mixture

1 tablespoon Worcestershire

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 teaspoon lemon juice

METHOD

Preheat oven to 400F. Place an ovenproof medium-size stainless steel skillet, with lid, aside.

Add all the spice blend ingredients onto a paper plate, then whisk to combine; set aside.

Place the skillet (see photo) over high heat on stovetop with 2 tablespoons of Mazola oil.

Meanwhile, pat chicken thighs dry with paper towel, including using kitchen shears to cut any excess fat without disturbing skin on under-side.  Place prepared thighs in a medium bowl.  Add half the spice mixture and drizzle with 1 teaspoon Mazola oil, then gently rub spices into both sides to coat evenly.

Place chicken skin-side down using tongs into hot skillet, while sliding back and forth initially when doing so to prevent sticking. Sear for 4 minutes on skin-side down, turn over then do the same on the under-side for 4 more minutes. Remove seared chicken thighs to a paper plate and set aside; drain grease from pan while reserving drippings.

Reduce heat under pan to medium-high and add the raw rice and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the other 1/2 of the reserved spice mixture, ketchup, Worcestershire, and lemon juice; sauté for 30 seconds.

Deglaze pan with chicken stock while scraping bottom with a wooden spoon.  Using tongs, place the seared chicken thighs back into pan atop the rice, skin-side up.  Cover, then bake, undisturbed, for 50 minutes.

Remove pan from oven, leaving covered, and let rest for 10 minutes for chicken juices to redistribute. ~ Enjoy!