Family recipes just feel different. When there's tradition behind a cooked meal, it feels way more comforting and homey than anything else. My grandmother's recipe for oven-baked chicken with rice and fruit, is a staple in my home, and is one of those nostalgic recipes that brings me back home each and every time.
This dish is typically made during the chillier, cooler months, but is great all year round especially when meal prepping and planning for the week.
Chicken dishes such as my tuscan chicken, chicken francese, and my juicy roasted chicken thighs all inspired this one, as well as my grandmother's recipe box.
Jump to:
- What are the ingredients for this recipe?
- How do I make this recipe?
- Recipe Swaps and Substitutions
- Recipe Variations and Serving Suggestions
- Tips and tricks for making this baked chicken recipe
- How do I store this recipe?
- PRO TIP:
- Hungry for More?
- Did you like this recipe? Share it!
- Oven-Baked Chicken with Rice and Fruit
What are the ingredients for this recipe?
This is one of those recipes that does require specific canned fruit, but I'll offer alternatives in case you can't find any of the ones I used for the dish. Otherwise, the ingredient list is very straightforward.
- Chicken Thighs, Breasts, and Legs - I like using a kosher chicken as it tends to be juicier, saltier, and less filled with antibiotics.
- Cooked White Rice - you can also use wild or long grain rice.
- Bone Broth or Stock - I love Kettle and Fire bone broth, it's my favorite brand to use in my recipes and to sip on! I use the broth to cook the rice in for added nutrients and flavor.
- Canned Cherries - I had a difficult time finding these in stores, but you can buy them on Amazon too! Also, if you can find fresh cherries, this works fine too.
- Canned Peaches - the juice from the canned peaches adds another layer of incredible flavor for the chicken.
- Paprika - standard paprika works here.
- Garlic Powder - a little garlic powder goes a long way.
- Onion Powder - onion powder always enhances the flavor of this chicken.
See the recipe card below for specific information about quantities.
How do I make this recipe?
This is technically a three-step recipe, but I promise it is so worth it.
Step 1: In a heated frying pan, add the chicken and season with spices. Sear on all sides for 3-4 minutes until browned. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325º.
Step 2: Cook your rice as desired in bone broth or with water. Add the rice to a baking dish, then place the chicken parts around the rice.
Step 3: Add the canned cherries and canned peaches around the chicken and the rice, pouring the juices over the rice and chicken as well.
Step 4: Bake the chicken for 45 minutes.
Hint: Searing the chicken on both sides before placing in the baking dish gives additional flavor while the dish bakes. It also yields very juicy chicken!
Recipe Swaps and Substitutions
If you're looking to change up a few things depending up any dietary needs to restrictions, here's what I suggest:
- Chicken - if you don't like chicken, you could try turkey parts such as breasts or drumsticks. I've not used turkey, yet, but it could work!
- Fruit - if you are allergic to peaches and/or cherries, or can't find them in your grocery store, swap with your favorite canned fruit such as pears, pineapple, or or throw in fresh grapes.
- Rice - if you want to use long grain and wild rice, brown rice, etc. go for it!
Recipe Variations and Serving Suggestions
Here are some variations and serving suggestions you could use to make this recipe your own for your family!
- Seasonings - add some chipotle or cajun seasoning for an additional flavor profile!
- Serving Suggestions - you could serve this dish as a meal prep dinner, lunch, family dinner, potluck, holiday dinner.
- Leftovers - turn the leftovers into a fun rice bowl! Add the rice with the fruit into a bowl, add in other veggies like corn, peas, or roasted broccoli, and add in shredded chicken.
Tips and tricks for making this baked chicken recipe
There are a few things I recommend to anyone who is looking to make this recipe, so that it comes out tasting amazing each and every time:
- Don't cover the chicken - We want the chicken to get incredibly crispy, so there is no need to cover the baking dish with anything.
- Low and slow - we cook on a low temp for longer time, so that the chicken gets as juicy as possible.
- Be generous with seasoning - don't shy away from adding enough seasoning to the chicken. We want there to be flavor!
How do I store this recipe?
You can place the remainders of this recipe in a tightly sealed container and place in the fridge. This should stay in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
PRO TIP:
Planning this as a meal prep? Store the rice separate from the chicken and fruit to eliminate the rice from getting soggy.
Hungry for More?
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you like this recipe? Share it!
If you're just as in love with this recipe as I am, please share a comment below and rate it! Better yet, share this recipe with family and friends!! Thank you for being here!!
Oven-Baked Chicken with Rice and Fruit
Equipment
- baking dish
- medium pot
- wooden spoon
- can opener
- large frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken cut into 8 pieces
- 1 can peaches
- 1 can cherries
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1 ½ cups white rice
- 3 cups bone broth
Instructions
- In a heated frying pan, add the chicken and season with spices.
- Sear on all sides for 3-4 minutes until browned. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325º
- Cook your rice as desired in bone broth or with water.
- Add the rice to a baking dish, then place the chicken parts around the rice.
- Add the canned cherries and canned peaches around the chicken and the rice, pouring the juices over the rice and chicken as well.
- Bake the chicken for 45 minutes.
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