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Cozy One-Pot Harvest Chicken and Wild Rice Skillet

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A warm, nourishing one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, sweet apples, and earthy mushrooms. Perfect for cozy autumn evenings, this skillet dinner is simple, satisfying, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup (180g) wild rice blend (e.g., Lundberg brand)
  • 3 cups (720ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium apple, diced (about 1 cup / 150g), such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith
  • 8 ounces (225g) cremini or baby bella mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup / 150g)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon (14g) butter (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (about 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper)
  • Optional garnish: fresh parsley or chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, slice the mushrooms, and chop the apple into ½-inch cubes. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it shimmers, add the chicken thighs in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Toss in the diced onion and sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their liquid and start to brown.
  4. Add the minced garlic, thyme, and sage to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. If the pan looks dry, add a splash of chicken broth.
  5. Pour in the wild rice blend and stir for 1 minute to toast it slightly. Then add the chicken broth and diced apple. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the rice mixture. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  7. Remove the lid and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or chopped pecans if desired.

Notes

Don’t rush the sear on the chicken for best flavor. Toast the rice before adding liquid for a nuttier taste. If rice is too wet at the end, leave the lid off for a few minutes. For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken and use vegetable broth, adding chickpeas or white beans at the end. For dairy-free, omit the butter or use a plant-based alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot chicken, wild rice skillet, harvest chicken, fall dinner, easy chicken recipe, one-pot meal, chicken and rice

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/cozy-one-pot-harvest-chicken-and-wild-rice-skillet/