Oven-Roasted Chicken with Fluffy Rice & Fresh Salad 🍗🍚🥗

A complete, flavorful meal with juicy honey-glazed chicken, perfectly fluffy rice, and a bright, herby salad—ready in under an hour!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Juicy, crispy-skinned chicken with a smoky-spice marinade
✅ Restaurant-quality basmati rice (no mush, just fluffy grains!)
✅ Fresh, zesty salad to balance the richness
✅ Meal-prep friendly—marinate chicken ahead for faster cooking
📝 Ingredients
For the Roasted Chicken
- 1 chicken leg quarter (thigh + drumstick)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh for best flavor)
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp honey (optional for sticky-sweet glaze)
For the Fluffy Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice (rinsed well!)
- 2 cups water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp butter or olive oil
For the Fresh Salad
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt & black pepper to taste
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, pepper, and salt.
- Coat the chicken evenly and marinate 30+ minutes (or overnight for max flavor).
2️⃣ Roast to Perfection
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place chicken on a parchment-lined tray and roast 35-40 mins.
- Optional: Brush with honey in the last 10 mins for a caramelized glaze.
3️⃣ Cook the Rice
- Rinse rice until water runs clear (key for fluffiness!).
- Boil water, add rice, salt, and butter. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 15 mins.
- Let rest 5 mins, then fluff with a fork.
4️⃣ Toss the Salad
- Combine cucumber, tomato, parsley, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper.
- Toss lightly—keep it crisp!
5️⃣ Plate & Serve
- Layer rice, top with golden chicken, and add salad on the side.
- Pro tip: Serve on a bed of greens for extra freshness!
⏱ Prep Time: 15 mins | 🔥 Cook Time: 40 mins | Total Time: 55 mins
📊 Calories: ~600/serving | Protein: ~45g
💡 Expert Tips
✔ Crispy skin hack: Pat chicken dry before marinating.
✔ Rice substitute: Quinoa or cauliflower rice for lower-carb.
✔ Extra flavor: Add minced garlic to the salad.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Pair with tzatziki or garlic yogurt sauce.
- Great with grilled veggies or warm pita bread.
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