One Pot Turmeric Chicken & Rice

This One Pot Turmeric Chicken & Rice is one of our latest obsessions. We love a good one pot meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor and taste, and this recipe delivers on both fronts. It’s the perfect super easy, healthy, and family-friendly weeknight dinner.

Even though spring is now officially here and winter is over, we’re hard-pressed to give up this One Pot Turmeric Chicken and Rice, which warms you from the inside out and has become a staple in our household during the colder months.

Golden, spice-rubbed chicken is nestled on a bed of steaming white rice finished with notes of cumin, paprika, and turmeric. Turmeric is what gives the dish its vibrant yellow color and lends a subtle earthy flavor to the chicken that is soaked up by the rice, which also cooks in the same pot.

Why you’ll love this turmeric chicken & rice

• Made in one pot. Everything cooks together in the same pot, which makes for minimal cleanup and a quicker way to get dinner on the table!
• Quick to make. All you have to do is put everything together and let the oven do the rest of the cooking for you.
• A healthy meal. You have a winning combination of lean protein, grains, and other simple ingredients with big nutritional value.
• Family-friendly. Even the pickiest eaters will have a hard time resisting such a comforting and delicious chicken and rice dish.

Ingredients for turmeric chicken & rice

Here is what you need to put together this delicious meal:

• Chicken: This recipe uses a whole chicken that’s been cut into 8 pieces. If you’re not sure how to cut up a chicken yourself, you can easily buy pre-cut pieces from your local grocery store.
• Spices: Turmeric, cumin, and paprika are the main stars of this dish. They bring the earthy, rich flavor to the chicken and the rice.
• White rice: We recommend using short-grain white rice (such as sushi rice), which cooks in less time than the long-grain version.
• Chopped parsley (optional): Adding some fresh parsley as garnish adds a nice pop of color and texture to the dish.

How to make turmeric chicken & rice

Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and olive oil.

Cook the chicken in a large Dutch oven or similar oven-safe pot in the oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Then transfer to a plate.

Add white rice and water to the pot, and add the chicken back in. Then transfer to the oven, uncovered, to cook for 30 additional minutes.

Garnish with parsley (optional). Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes to cool, before topping with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Storage tips

Got any leftovers? The turmeric chicken and rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over medium-high heat or reheat individual batches in the microwave.

You can also make this recipe ahead of time and stash leftovers in the freezer. Seal the chicken and rice in an airtight, freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. Make sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

More one pot recipes to love from us

• One Pan Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas
• One Pan Bucatini with Mussels
• One Pan Baked Lemon Chicken Thighs
• Sheet Pan Italian Sausage & Vegetables
• One Pan Chicken Pesto & Chickpeas

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