One Pot Roasted Greek Chicken and Rice
This chicken is an ode to my favorite blogger, Nagi. Β Her blog is full of incredible recipes and this One Pot Greek Chicken with Rice is no exception. Β An incredibly easy and scrumptious chicken and rice dish made in just one pot!!!
Guys…I have a confession to make… I have a blog crush. Β A BIG ONE! Β My blogger crush is Nagi from RecipeTin Eats.
I stumbled upon Nagi’s blog over a year ago. Β And I was stuck. Β I stalked her blog for HOURS! Β Nothing else mattered, not even my own blog. Β I looked at all her photos, I read her stories, I studied her recipes, I subscribed to all her newsletters and got all her cookbooks and I even downloaded her app. Β I became a Recipetin addict within a matter of hours.
I read all about her. Β She came from the nitty gritty financial world, where she ruled as an executive with a giant and warm smile on her face. Β And she suddenly decided she wanted more for herself and left the industry to become a blogger. Β That’s one ballsy move π
Poor Nagi must have received 30 comments from me within those few hours. Β But I could NOT stop. Β I was compelled…no…possessed to keep going. Β I sent her emails praising her blog and her mad photography skills and was bummed I did not receive responses right away. Β I told you I am borderline insane. Β Apparently, I was so enthralled in reading every word on her blog, I forgot that she lived on the other side of the world from me in Australia. Β So while I was stalking…Nagi was having some one pot meal dreams π
Later that afternoon as I was leaving my office, I got ALL of Nagi’s replies. Β ALL OF THEM! Β She replied to EVERY SINGLE COMMENT. Β And sent me an incredible email response. Β I was thrilled. Β And I read those comments over and over again. Β Nagi, genuinely read every single comment of mine and responded truthfully, humorously and kindly.
I have gotten to know Nagi pretty well over the past year. Β And I have watched her expand her enterprise over the past few months. Β And I can say she is so incredible. Β I would sometimes send her a million private messages on Facebook asking for her advice or asking her random photography questions. Β And even when she was in a mad hurry, she would always sketch out some make-shift diagrams on the computer and send it over to me to help me out. Β And if I try and praise her, I can instantly feel her cheeks getting red. Β Nagi is the true meaning of the world humble. Β She would always respond back with something like, “Oh shush, I am nothing special I just work hard and have figured out a few tips and tricks, and you can too.”
Nagi’s recipes are absolutely brilliant. Β They are always well thought out, beautifully photographed but most importantly they are always beloved by her. Β She only posts things she truly loves to eat and make and that shines through her blog. Β And I can appreciate more than anything.
SO… when she posted this One Pot Greek Chicken and Rice on her blog I was IN LOVE. Β I am sightly obsessed with rice and Greek flavors. Β So when I saw this gorgeous picture of the chicken and rice…I was done for!
I had been in love with my favorite Greek Chicken and PotatoesΒ for years so I knew this would be a perfect fit for my taste buds.
So I made it…several months later…but I made it. Β I took a bite of the rice as soon as it came out of the oven. Β And it was all over for me. Β I just kept eating and eating and eating it. Β Burning my tongue, permanently blistering it most likely. Β But I did not care anymore. Β It was too good π Β You see what makes this dish so flipping brilliant is the sheer versatility of it! Β Once the ratio of rice to liquid has been achieved, the possibilities are endless! Β My head is already spinning with ideas!
Oh and I made a lot! Β Because my eyes are bigger than my stomach…clearly π Β So I froze it. Β And when I defrosted it…It was still delicious!!!! So yes it is SUPER freezer friendly!
By the way… I ended up marinading one batch over night and another batch for 30 minutes. Β Both times were fantastic and the difference was minimal to be honest. Β I did add a bit more garlic, some red pepper flakes and some more lemon…because I like to live on the edge! Β But here is my girl Nagi’s recipe! Β It’s perfection! Β Chef’s honor π
So you know how I told you I stalk Nagi…Well I stalked her into writing all about her day and life as a blogger! Β And anyone can learn from her work ethic! Β I am happy to say I have a ton in common with her. Β With the exception of being an early bird. Β 5:30am does not sound realistic to me π Β But God willing if I ever become as busy as Nagi perhaps I will drag my a$$ out at 4 am π
I love ya Nagi! Β Thank you for helping me become the photographer Β I hoped I would be:) Thank you for being so fantastic and for being such an inspiration to all us baby bloggers π
And here you are…I present A Day in the Life of a Blogger….
- Describe your typical day.
Iβm an early bird! Iβm up at 5.30 / 6.00 am and I hit my Mac straight away, booting it up while my Nespresso machine heats up. Itβs terrible! Iβm a workaholic and it got worse when I left corporate and started working for myself!
The first thing I do is respond to cooking questions on my blog and my inbox from readers. This usually takes around 30 minutes. Typically Iβll respond to comments and catch up on reading blogs I follow at this time too, but it depends how busy my day is.
The next thing I usually do is check in on the FBC Facebook page and website, responding to messages and helping people who have posted queries. I usually do this 2 or 3 times a day β on a normal day.
I do this keyboard bashing session over breakfast. Itβs a bad habit, I really want to try to break that and get back into reading the news over breakfast!
At around 8 am I usually head out for 30 minutes or so to take my dog for a walk, clear my head and plan my day. I have a lot going on at the moment and so itβs really important for me to prioritise. And priorities shift every day! I feel like Iβm always putting out fires. Every time I feel like Iβve gotten on top of everything, something else happens! For example, I woke up yesterday to find that my homepage was spoilt. Which was because a new plugin I installed recently decided to act up. It took me hours to figure out what the problem was! Then I had a client who had a crisis and urgently needed a shot that afternoon.
I never thought that life as a food blogger would be so busy!
But on a day that goes to plan, I hit up my computer again at around 8.30 / 9.00 am and clear out my inbox. Delete the junk, respond to messages from clients and buyers of my eBooks. And of course, corresponding with friends. Working in an online business means there is much more electronic correspondence with friends compared to my βrealβ life here in Sydney which is mainly by phone or catch ups!
I check my blog for comments again because itβs around dinner time in the US (which is where most of my readers are based) and sometimes I get βurgentβ questions from people while they are cooking!
I like to be in the kitchen by 10.30 am but usually itβs around 11.00 am. Then I start cooking. Cooking to shoot, developing recipes or cooking for my own meals. I try to start shooting around 1.00 pm most days because thatβs when the light is ideal, then I finish shooting by 4.00 pm. Then clean up, more cooking. I like to cook in the evening not only for my own meals, but also cooking ahead to shoot the next day. But unfortunately most of the foods I like to cook do not hold up well overnight so I have to cook them on the day! If Iβm cooking an involved recipe, I usually try to get a head start the night before as well.
On a normal day and handling my every-day tasks, I can comfortably cook and shoot 2 recipes and develop/test 1 or 2 recipes plus cook for myself. I would say that I usually cook 4 things every day, including my own meal.
Then at the end of every day β and sometimes first thing as well β Iβll hit the grocery store. I go to the grocery store at least once a day. My record is five times in one day. FIVE TIMES! (It was for a client shoot).
And then I take my dog out again. Iβve gotten into a routine of taking food to the homeless in my area. It just so happens they hang at the dog park! So at the end of every day, I pack up food, heat it up then take it down to them. And exercise my dog as well.
Efficiency. I love it!
The evenings are usually when I try to get on top of my social media. Scheduling out shares, responding to comments etc. Itβs also when I plan my editorial calendar (which changes daily!), work on FBC, respond to blog comments again, clean out my inbox again. Edit photos, write up posts.
My days are pretty long. It would be rare for me to shutdown my Mac before 8 pm. Usually itβs 9 pm, on busy days itβs 10 pm. I often eat dinner while working.
Which is why it is so important for me to regularly see family and friends. Because when I have people over, thatβs when I will actually sit down and eat a proper meal. No Mac in sight, keep my iPhone in my bag. I am really conscious about keeping a work/life balance. I know it sounds like I donβt have one, reading back over what I have written! But actually, Iβm quite a social person! Probably even more so than my pre-blog life. I think because I donβt have the face-to-face people interaction that I used to have in my former life in corporate, I need more time with family and friends to make up for it!
Work hard. Play hard. Thatβs always been my motto! J
- How do you decide what to blog and what inspires you?
Oh, this is easy. I absolutely blog the food I love. I love cuisines from all around the world, new flavors, copying restaurant recipes and clever cooking. So many things inspire me β blogs, chefs, restaurants, cooking shows, cookbooks, magazines, seasonal produce.
So when it comes to deciding what to blog, it is whatever I βfeelβ like cooking. Whatever inspires me on the day I am cooking. Usually based on what I have in the fridge or what was on special at the store!
Like today. I have a chicken breast and avocado in the fridge and itβs miserable weather. I feel like soup but I also feel like something spicy. So Iβve decided to make a White Chicken Chili Soup. And last night I had these amazing Salted Caramel Truffles at a restaurant. I went to buy them and they were stupidly expensive! So Iβve decided to recreate them.
Yesterday leftover shredded beef so I made burritos. And tomorrow? Well, I just bought 3 cauliflowers for $3. So Iβll be making something with cauliflower!
- What is the most important thing you do to grow and enrich your blog?
Really sticking to what I do β βmaking midweek meals excitingβ. I call if my βnicheβ. Others call it branding. Whatever you call it, by clearing defining my niche through the type of recipes I post, this is my single most important growth strategy. It always has been.
- What is the one thing in your kitchen (food or device) you CANNOT live without?
I want one of each! Food β cheese. Wait, and homemade bread. Can I have both please?
Device β my global knives. I am in love with them. π
- What is your favorite type of food to cook and why?
Grilled cheese on toast. The single best invention ever. EVER.
Print
One Pot Roasted Greek Chicken and Rice
Description
An incredibly easy and scrumptious chicken and rice dish made in just one pot!!!
Ingredients
- Marinade
- 1 fryer chicken (about 3-pounds, cut up into pieces or feel free to just use thighs and drumsticks)
- 2 whole lemons (zested and juiced)
- 3 tablespoons of oregano
- 1/2 a cup of water
- 5 cloves of garlic (sliced)
- 1 tsp of red pepper flakes or more if you are feeling dangerous
- Rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil (separated)
- 1 shallot (finely diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced on microplaner)
- 1 large onion (finely diced)
- a pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1Β½ cups chicken broth / stock
- ΒΎ cup water
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper
- Chopped parsley and lemon zest to garnish
Instructions
- Combine the chicken and marinade in a ziplock bag and marinade for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to over night.
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees
- Heat up a skillet large enough to contain the chicken and the rice, over medium heat with the 1 tbsp olive oil in it.
- Using tongs or you hands, remove the chicken from the marinade…BUT DO NOT THROW OUT THE MARINADE.
- Place the chicken skin side down into the pan and cook until brown. You may have to do this in batches. Remove and set aside.
- Remove the darkened bits from the chicken and wipe pan clean with a paper towel. I like to hold the paper towel with tongs and wipe it around so that I do not burn my hands π
- Add the remaining olive oil to the pan and add in shallots, red pepper flakes, onion and garlic. Sweat them out. Not allowing any color to come to the veggies.
- Add in all the remaining rice ingredients and the marinade.
- Let the liquid come to a simmer and allow to simmer for 30 seconds.
- Place chicken on top of the rice, nestling it in gently. Place a lid on the pan. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes.
- Remove the lid and bake for 10 more minutes to allow the chicken to brown. The rice is done when all the liquid has evaporated.
- Remove, allow to rest for 10 minutes and fluff with a fork.
- Garnish with extra lemons and parsley.
- Category: One Pot
- Cuisine: Greek
Oohhh my gooodness, I LOVE NAGI TOO! (I love her more than you – oh yes I do!!! Tee hee … yes, this is a who loves Nagi more contest).
She truly is my blogging guru, and I respect her all the more because she is SUCH A NICE PERSON! (and that’s an understatement).
I know she’ll be burning bright red if she reads this so I’d better stop.
LOVE the Greek chicken, too. I love anything Greek and I know that if it’s one of Nagi’s recipes it’ll be stellar π
Haha now we are in a competition!!! I know she is so flipping nice and goes above and beyond to help ppl π
The ingredients say marinade. What marinade? There is no recipe for this marinade.
Hi Duarte!
The recipe is split up into 2 parts. Marinade and rice. It is also labeled so that itβs easier for you to find it π
I am entirely with you — if I had to have one girlfriend it would be Naji! She has such a great sense of humor besides being a fantastic chef and photographer. She is one fantastic person!! Thank you for reminding me of this recipe.
I agree! I am so excited to see her in November π
This is one of my, if not my most favorite recipe of Nagi’s. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve made it! And Nagi is a gem! I’ve often thought she is like a super-human blogger – how does she do it all?! In fact, I was just wondering the other day – I wonder what Nagi’s daily schedule looks like? So this was super awesome and helpful to read! Thanks so much to the both of you! xoxo!
She IS the super blogger!
Can’t beat a one pot dish! Must confess Iv’e not had much success with ones containing rice as come out with undercooked or sloppy rice. Clearly not got my ratios right.
I promise this one is super easy!!!!
Nagi is amazing! I am happy to be aroung a caring food blog and fellow bloggers! Since I originally come from Greece, I must say that you nailed this recipe!
Thank you!!! I’ll have to check your blog out I love Greek food!
RecipeTin Eats and Nagi are awesome! Thanks for sharing your blog work day work flow!
Thank you for stopping by! Nagi really is amazing!
Let’s have “Nagi Contest”!! lol I love rice and I love Greek food!! This looks delicious!
Lol it’s panning out to be a Nagi contest π
In the ingredients for the marinade one of the items just say says “3 tablespoons of”. What should this ingredient be?
Derek! Olive oil! Thank you for helping!
Thanks for the quick reply!
My pleasure! Let me know how it goes please!!!
Perfect! All flavors I love, and I have everything I need to make this for dinner. I love the combination of flavors and the convenience of one dish π And thanks for the interview with Nagi- lots of inspiration there!
Yay!!! So glad Mary! Yes Nagi is quite our inspiration isn’t she π
Mila…you guessed it. My face was beet red as I was reading it but I also got a bit teary. I’m really touched on so many levels – the effort you put into this, the kind words, how open you are with how you felt, that I am helping you…your version of this recipe….and the photos! Wow the colours Mila, beautiful!
Thank you so much. This has really touched me. Goes without saying…SHARING SHARING SHARING!! N x <3
Well my dear you deserved it!!! And thank you for sharing!!! It really is the perfect recipe darling!
Amazing Amazing pictures and what a lovely post!!! I truly enjoyed the interview and can relate to so much in it especially to having to run to the grocery store at least once a day!!! Gorgeous
photos by the way….I am green with envy π
Thank you so very much Manal!!!
What a great post! Nagi is pretty awesome. I have loved learning photography and blogging tips from her. And can’t wait to see what other little gems of advice she has for all of us!
Thank you Jenn!!! Nagi is full of secrets and tips isn’t she!!!!
And I thought it was just me! Nagi is my food blog hero π
What a lovely interview. Thank you both for sharing. And that chicken!
A
She is all of our hero isn’t she!
Hi Mila, Same here, I stalk her blog a lot and lucky me live in Brisbane Australia. I agree with everyone’s comment above, Nagi is my favourite blogger, photographer, and my blogging mentor. She is inspiring women yet, she is so humble about what she does! Your photos are incredible too.
Awww thank you!!!! Yes Nagi is our hero π
Love this post and loved reading Nagi’s interview ! I’ve learned a lot from her !This chicken looks amazing!
Thank you Mira!!!
Gorgeous colors Mila!! Looks incredible..and one pot rice meals are such an usual thing for us, I can’t wait to try Nagis version . As for the lady herself, I LOVE her. And yup, she truly is the most humble and amazing power blogger I have ever known. And sooo focussed!! I consider myself so lucky that I know her …loads of love and luck to two wonderful people .. Xo
Thank you so much honey!!!
What a lovely post — so interesting to hear about Nagi’s day! I love all her tips and tricks, and what a great idea to bring the food to homeless people at the dog park.
I know right!!! She is too brilliant. And her brilliance comes with kindness that’s the best part!
How fun and true on so many levels – from your own experience, to the relationship built with Nagi. I can attest she is a gem. Fantastic post, and your photos and sentiment are beautiful Mila! Thanks!
Awwww Kevin this is so sweet on so many levels xo!
Thx for sharing. Nagi is great and so generous. You have really helped share her essence and her insight and you are so smart to have gotten to know her so you could grow your blog.
Awwww thanks Peter!
Mila, this is such a lovely tribute to Nagi. Thank you for writing it. She has helped me and so many others…and I so enjoyed her thoughtful answers. Of course she takes her food to the homeless near the dog park and kindly heats it up first. Heart of gold this woman, honestly.
I also want to compliment you on your gorgeous photos. Just, wow! Completely mouthwatering. xo
Thank you Marissa!!! On all levels! Yes Nagi is something else! Love this woman! So excited to meet her in Cali !!!
Add me to the Nagi Fan Club! I second everything you’ve all said. Nagi’s generosity to fellow bloggers is beyond compare. What an inspiration she is to both new and experienced bloggers. Can’t wait to meet her next month.
Marlene I’ll be there too!!! Excited to meet you as well’
I absolutely love this post!! Hahah and I read it while eating breakfast at my computer…. And I’m joining the club of Nagi fans π
Apparently we all eat at our laptop!
Yes, me too….I use my iPad downstairs and it’s on the table with me as I type this and have my coffee. It’s my recipe book, too, propped on the kitchen counter as I try yet another blogger’s recipe!
Marlene I recently started using my iPad as my recipe book as well!
First of all, this one-pot meal looks SO amazing. All the color on the chicken and the charred bits on the lemon – yum! Second, I totally agree with you (along with everyone else here in the comments section) about Nagi’s amazingness. I just recently discovered her blog & FBC and am SO thankful for the community she created. I’m already learning so much and I can’t wait to pick up a copy of her book. π
Thank you so very much!!! Nagi is absolutely incredible! And just wait!!! You are going to LOVE that book!
I loved reading about Nagi’s life!!! #fangirl
#fangirl2
On the marinade, is that supposed to be 3 tablespoons oregano or olive oil? Wondering because one of the commenters asked what ingredient is 3 tablespoons & you said olive oil but that’s not reflected above. My chicken is marinating with 3 tablespoons oregano so hope it’s correct!!!
That’s perfect π It’s 3 tablespoons of oregano π
Just wondering about the one pot roasted Greek chicken recipe……..it states to,add the garlic with the onions etc. but there isn’t any garlic listed other than in the marinade?
Sorry!!! It’s 3 cloves of garlic!!! Ahhh sorry it was a glitch when my system crashed a few weeks ago π
What are the odds I could use chicken breast for this recipe?? π
You absolutely can! I would recommend you use bone in chicken breast though as the flavor would be much better!
Just doule checking on ingredient list for marinade … using 3 tablespoons of dried oregano absorbs on the lemon juice making it more of a rub than a marinade… is this correct?
Hi Mary…there is also 1/2 a cup of water in the recipe that keeps it rather liquidy π
Quick question: Is there a reason that you want to remove the black bits? I’m no culinary expert to say the least, but I’m so used to those being a source of flavor. My brain is telling me it makes more sense to start with the veggies and then do the chicken in batches. From there drain the fat while keeping the bits and scraping them up with the liquid and then adding the ingredients back in. Is that an option, or am I missing something? (BTW: this is no criticism at all…I’m truly asking, so I don’t go botch it up.)
Lisa, I would love to help! You are taking out the black bits not the brown bits. The delicious brown bits that get stuck to the bottom of the pan ARE the bits of flavor. But once they turn black they are no longer flavor but are bitter bits of fat and remains=no good. You want to keep some of the fat in the pan after the chicken is done cooking because that does = flavor and hence why you sautΓ© the veggies in there after. Let me know if you would like further help π
Potentially super dumb questions but are the measurements in your recipes standard imperial ones? I think Australian measurements are slightly different!
I know typically the measurements are different in AUS, however the recipe I adapted this from is from NAGI who happens to be a fellow Aussie so I am sure this would work for you as well!!!
Hi. I am not in Australia. I am in Canada-so the measurements have been converted to suit our measurements(US)? Sorry for the confusion.
No problem! Yes you will find it works out perfectly for you!!!
The one pot Greek chicken is a terrible recipe – there were so many mistakes in it (i.e.telling you half way through to put something in that isn’t listed in the first place!) that you can’t help but go wrong and reading a lot of the posts, people are saying how wonderful it sounds but not many seem to have cooked it! I wouldn’t bother. There is a good meal lurking in there somewhere but not it you follow this recipe. If you are going to create a food blog and post recipes it is absolutely vital you get the correct ingredients, the correct measurements and the correct method and unfortunately, this fail at each one. Very disappointed.
Emm, wow I am so sorry you had such a rough time with this recipe. I do hope you try it as it is a standard recipe in my house made many times over. And if you ever do feel like you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a note and I will be able to help you as soon as I can! Thanks for commenting I appreciate the attention.
I just tried this recipe. It was quite easy to prepare and didn’t take much time. I’ve just put it in the oven and am desperately hoping this will turn out to be a meal that will impress my husband when he returns home later on in the evening.
Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Amarillo! So glad to hear that! Hope it turned out well for you!
Mila this is an amazing post!! Nagi is SUCH an inspiration (I cannot believe how insane her schedule is, like how???!! so impressive). And the one pot meals – I haven’t actually tried her greek chicken recipe so will have to give it a try for sure – so brilliant to end up with one pan to put straight in the oven, packed with so much flavour. Thank you so much sharing this with us π
I know right?!?!? I am convinced there are 4 or 5 of her π
And I have done so many different variations of this recipe and they are ALWAYS fab!!!! Seriously it’s great!
Can you brown the chicken ahead of time and then cook rice ingredients and assemble an hour later. Will a cast iron work?
Yes you can!!!! Make sure you bring it up to temp first. And a cast iron is great!!!
What a lovely post! Nagi is pretty awesome. I have loved learning cooking and blogging tips from her. And canβt wait to see what other little gems of advice she has for all of us! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!
★★★★★
Alisha, thanks for popping by!!!
What a lovely post. Really appreciated.Thanks
Thank you!!!!