One-Pot Brown Butter Chicken and Rice
/Summary: It's been cold and rainy here lately, and all I wanted today was hearty comfort food. Chicken and rice always fits that bill, especially when slicked with a hearty bit of brown butter. I brightened the whole thing with lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice but otherwise, it's just the chicken, rice and brown butter shining away. I'm full, comforted and totally satisfied.
Yield: serves 2-4
Ingredients:
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1/3 of a lemon, juice only
- 1¾ cups chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1-2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1-2 pinches dried oregano
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a heavy-bottomed skillet (9 or 10") with a lid, put the rice. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon sea salt over it and then the lemon zest. Gently pour the chicken broth and lemon juice over and around the rice.
In the meantime, put the 4 tablespoons of butter in a small pot set over medium-high heat and brown it. Don't let it burn but do let it get nice and nutty.
While the butter is browning, sprinkle the chicken breast(s) with the remaining sea salt and a pinch of both freshly ground black pepper and oregano. Lay the seasoned chicken breasts atop the rice. Set the skillet over high heat and when the broth has just started to simmer actively, pour the brown butter over the chicken breasts, put the lid on the skillet and slide the covered skillet into the heated oven. Cook for 20 minutes and serve.
If white/beige food bothers you, mince some flat leaf parsley or fresh oregano and sprinkle it over the top!
