Name: Simple Chicken and Rice Bake
Ingredients: 2 cups white rice; 1.7 lbs. chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs; 1/2 cup olive oil; 1.5 tsp salt; 1.5 tsp turmeric; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 3 1/2 cups water or broth

Simple Chicken and Rice Bake – A Family-Friendly Dinner Recipe

If you are looking for clean, healthy, easy, family-friendly dinner recipes this one comes out so delicious and it is as simple as can be! Made with just chicken breast, rice, olive oil, turmeric, salt, and pepper, this dish is not only nutritious but also versatile. It requires minimal prep and bakes to perfection in the oven, making it a great choice for family dinners. The recipe is budget-friendly and can feed up to a family of 10. Plus, everyone can customize their plate with different toppings or sides to suit their taste!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pan Meal: This easy, no-fuss family dinner recipe is made in one baking tray and has minimal clean up.
Kid-Friendly: The chicken and rice comes out so soft and tender, perfect for little ones as little as 11 months and up. The flavors are very mild, so little one’s tend to enjoy this meal very much.
Customizable: Each family can customize their own plate to their liking.
Nutritious & Filling: A great balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats.
Cost-Friendly: All you need is chicken breast, rice and olive oil for this recipe. It is extremely budget-friendly and can literally feed up to 10 people.
Meal-Prep Friendly: If you are busy parents, this recipe is great for meal-prepping and storing in the refrigerator. Leftovers store well, making it great for lunch or dinner for up to 4 days. It’s super versatile, me and my family actually made burritos with the leftovers to change things up and it was so delicious!

Nutritional Benefits:

Chicken Breast: A great source of lean protein, which supports muscle growth. It also contains vitamins B6 and B12, which help with brain development and energy production.
Rice: Provides energy-boosting carbohydrates, essential for active kids and adults.
Olive Oil: A heart-healthy fat that contains antioxidants and supports brain development.
Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it can boost immunity and digestion.

Serving Ideas for the Whole Family:

This dish is delicious on its own, but here are some ways to serve it to please everyone at the table:

For Babies (11+ months): Serve soft rice with small pieces of chicken. Add mashed avocado or a little sour cream.
For Kids: Add a sprinkle of cheese, a dollop of yogurt or sour cream, or a side of veggies. You can do any steamed veggies like peas, broccoli, carrot, etc. Or you can do raw veggies like avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers.
For Adults: Top with avocado slices, a squeeze of lemon, cheese, sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce for extra flavor. I like to eat it with a side of salad and a drizzle of jalapeno sauce, it’s so good!

Ingredients & Substitutions:

Chicken Breast- For this recipe you can use chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs, both go very well.

White Rice- I used long grain white rice, but you can swap for basmati or jasmine rice.

Olive Oil- This can be substituted with another neutral oil, like avocado oil.

Water or Chicken Broth- You can use both water or chicken broth, or I used half and half.

What You Need:

Baking Dish 9×13

Parchment Paper– very important to cover when cooking, so it comes out soft and tender.

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are some more family-friendly dinner recipes you should check out:

Chicken Drumstick Potato Dinner

Baby-Friendly Shepherd’s Pie

One-Pot Chicken & Peas

Veggie Chicken Burgers