One-Pan Baked Chicken & Rice – A Hearty Dinner for Under $5

Looking for a cheap, filling, and easy dinner that practically cooks itself? This One-Pan Baked Chicken & Rice is a classic comfort meal that’s flavor-packed, hearty, and made with simple ingredients—all for under $5!

With juicy, seasoned chicken baked to perfection over fluffy, flavorful rice, this recipe is a one-pan wonder that saves time, money, and effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a family on a budget.

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🍗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Budget-Friendly – Feeds 4 people for less than $1.25 per serving!
✔ One-Pan Meal – No extra dishes to wash.
✔ Easy & Foolproof – Just mix, bake, and enjoy!
✔ Flavor-Packed Rice – The chicken juices infuse the rice while baking.
✔ Great for Meal Prep – Leftovers taste even better the next day.

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🛒 What You’ll Need

This budget-friendly chicken & rice uses staple pantry ingredients you probably already have!

For the Chicken & Rice:

✅ 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks) 🛒 Best budget-friendly chicken cuts
✅ 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
✅ 2 ½ cups chicken broth (or water + bouillon cube for a cheaper option)
✅ 1 small onion, diced
✅ 2 cloves garlic, minced
✅ 1 tbsp butter or oil

For the Seasoning Mix:

✅ 1 tsp paprika
✅ 1 tsp garlic powder
✅ ½ tsp salt
✅ ½ tsp black pepper
✅ ½ tsp dried thyme or oregano
✅ ½ tsp onion powder

👉 Want extra flavor? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat!

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2️⃣ Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and rub with paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, and onion powder.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

3️⃣ In a large oven-safe pan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
4️⃣ Add onions & garlic, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3: Assemble the Dish

5️⃣ Stir uncooked rice into the pan, coating it with the butter and onions.
6️⃣ Pour in chicken broth and stir well.
7️⃣ Nestle the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the rice, skin-side up.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

8️⃣ Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
9️⃣ Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until the chicken is crispy and the rice is fluffy.

🔥 Want crispier skin? Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end!

Step 5: Let It Rest & Serve

🔟 Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice.
🔟 Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon wedges (optional).

💡 Pro Tip: Add frozen peas or diced carrots for extra veggies!

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💰 Cost Breakdown (Estimated per Serving)

Ingredient	Cost
Chicken thighs (4 pieces)	$3.00
Rice (1 cup)	$0.75
Chicken broth	$0.50
Onion & garlic	$0.50
Butter & seasonings	$0.50
Total Cost:	$4.75 (~$1.20 per serving!)

🛒 Save more by:
✅ Using drumsticks (cheaper than thighs).
✅ Making homemade chicken broth from scraps.
✅ Buying bulk rice & spices.

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🍽️ What to Serve with One-Pan Chicken & Rice

This meal is delicious on its own, but you can add:

🥗 Side Salad – Easy homemade dressing ideas
🥦 Roasted Veggies – Best oven-roasted vegetable guide
🥖 Garlic Bread – Quick homemade garlic bread

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❓ Common Questions

Can I Use Brown Rice Instead of White?

Yes! Just increase broth to 3 cups and bake for 50-55 minutes.

👉 Guide to cooking different types of rice

What’s the Best Cut of Chicken for This Recipe?

✔ Bone-in thighs – Super juicy & budget-friendly.
✔ Drumsticks – Even cheaper, great for families.
✔ Boneless thighs – Works, but may cook faster.

Can I Make This in an Instant Pot?

Yes! Follow these adjustments:
1️⃣ Sauté onions & garlic on SAUTÉ mode.
2️⃣ Add rice, broth, and seasonings, then place chicken on top.
3️⃣ Pressure cook on HIGH for 10 minutes, then quick release.

👉 Instant Pot rice & chicken cooking guide

How Do I Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze portions for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or microwave for 2 minutes.

👉 Best ways to store & reheat chicken & rice dishes

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🛒 Where to Buy Cheap Chicken & Rice

💡 Want to save even more? Try:
✔ Aldi & Walmart – Cheap chicken & pantry staples.
✔ Local Farmers Markets – Affordable fresh chicken.
✔ Costco or Sam’s Club – Bulk deals on rice & chicken thighs.

🔗 More budget grocery tips:

• How to Grocery Shop on a Budget
• Best Cheap Pantry Staples for Cooking

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🌟 Final Thoughts: A Comforting, Budget-Friendly Classic

This One-Pan Baked Chicken & Rice proves that delicious, hearty meals don’t have to be expensive or complicated. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavor-packed dinner for under $5!

🔥 Tried this recipe? Drop a comment below & let us know how it turned out!

📌 Loved this dish? Pin it for later!

🔗 More budget-friendly meal ideas:

• 25 Cheap & Easy One-Pot Meals
• How to Cook Healthy Meals on a Budget
• 10 Quick & Affordable Weeknight Dinners