SKILLET CHICKEN AND RICE TWO WAYS: PLAIN AND DIRTY

Skillet Chicken and Rice Two Ways: Plain and Dirty image

There's something about the pairing of chicken and rice that is so appealing and comforting, and these paella-like dishes are definitely perennial crowd-pleasers.

Provided by Kathy Brennan

Categories Small Plates Dinner Chicken Rice One-Pot Meal Kid-Friendly

Yield Serves 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

For the plain version:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 [3-4-pound (1.6-1.8-kg)] chicken, cut into 8 pieces, or 2-3 pounds (1.2-1.4 kg) chicken parts, patted dry
Salt and pepper
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups (275 g) long-grain white rice, rinsed
1 bay leaf
3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium chicken broth or water
1 cup (135 g) frozen peas (optional)
Handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
For the dirty version:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 [3-4-pound (1.6-1.8-kg)] chicken, cut into 8 pieces, or 2-3 pounds (1.2-1.4 kg) chicken parts, patted dry
Salt and pepper
1/2 pound (225 g) mild pork sausages, casings removed or 1/4 pound (115 g) mild pork sausages, casings removed, plus 1/4 pound (115 g) chicken livers, roughly chopped
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1 small bell pepper (any color), diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups (275 g) long-grain white rice, rinsed
1 bay leaf
3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium chicken broth or water
Handful of sliced scallions (optional)

Steps:

In a large skillet or high-sided sauté pan with a lid, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat until the foam from the butter begins to subside. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper, then put it in the pan skin-side down. Cook-resisting the urge to repeatedly poke, prod, and look underneath-until it doesn't stick to the pan and is golden brown, about 6 minutes.
Flip the chicken over and cook for 5 minutes more. Transfer to a platter, then pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan. Add the sausages and livers (if using) and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often and breaking up the meat, until browned, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions and, if using, the peppers, celery, garlic, and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, about 8 minutes. Add the rice and bay leaf and cook, stirring often, until the rice is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.*
Add the broth, stir to combine, then add the reserved chicken, skin-side up, and any accumulated juices. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is just cooked through and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes (see Tip). Let the pan sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes after taking it off the heat. Taste the rice and stir in a little more salt and/or pepper, if needed, then sprinkle with parsley or scallions, if you like.
Make Ahead
Prepare up to * and refrigerate, covered, for up to 1 day. Let sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before continuing with the recipe. You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.
Staggered
Serve hot or warm. It will keep, covered, in a 200°F (90°C) oven, for about 1 hour.