One Pot Lemon Basil Chicken & Wild Rice
Recipe by Andy Mathis
Beautiful Eats & Things
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 1 hr 15 min
Total: 1 hr 30 min
Servings: 8
Ingredients
8 chicken legs
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon lemon pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt/pepper to taste
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 ½ cups dry wild rice blend
2 ½ cups chicken broth
For garnish: lemon slices and fresh basil leaves
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
Place chicken in a bowl and toss with lemon juice, chopped basil, smoked paprika, lemon pepper, and garlic powder.
Toss well to coat.
Heat extra virgin olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
Add chicken legs and cook until golden-brown for about 5-6 minutes.
Turn and cook for 1 minute.
Transfer to a plate.
Add onions and garlic to that same pan. Cook until softened, for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.
Stir in wild rice and let rice toast for about 1 to 2 minutes. Add broth and stir.
Nestle chicken legs back into pan, cover, bring to a boil, and transfer pan to the oven.
Cook for 35 minutes. Then, uncover and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
*If you notice the rice starting to dry out towards the end of cooking, add more broth.
When done, garnish with lemon slices and fresh basil, if desired.
Note (from the Recipe Creator)
Use an oven-safe skillet (cast iron works great!)
Don’t skip browning the chicken because it adds so much flavor
Let the rice toast slightly before adding broth
Add extra broth if needed toward the end for perfectly tender rice
About The Recipe Creator
Andrea “Andy” Mathis, MA, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist, author and founder of Beautiful Eats & Things. With professional experience spanning clinical nutrition, public health and long-term care, Andy brings both expertise and a realistic perspective to eating well. Her approachable recipes and nutrition guidance encourage people to enjoy food, practice moderation and build healthier habits without giving up the foods they love. She is also the author of The Complete Book of Smoothies and a nationally recognized nutrition expert whose work has been featured by Food Network, Good Morning America and other leading media outlets.
We’re featuring Andy because her approach to nutrition makes space for health, enjoyment and a positive relationship with your body. She understands that caring for yourself doesn’t require perfection or giving up the foods that bring you joy. Through realistic recipes and evidence-based nutrition guidance, Andy offers practical ways to nourish your body while encouraging self-love, body acceptance and a healthier relationship with food. Check out Beautiful Eats & Things for mouthwatering recipes.