Looking for a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying one-pot meal that brings together the best of Southern comfort? This chicken rice black eyed peas recipe is precisely that – a deliciously seasoned, protein-packed dish featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and earthy black eyed peas, all simmered together in a rich, savory broth. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, a fantastic crowd-pleaser, and a budget-friendly meal that tastes like it took hours to make, even though it’s surprisingly simple!
Key Ingredients for Chicken Rice Black Eyed Peas
To bring this comforting chicken rice black eyed peas dish to life, you’ll need a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients that combine to create a symphony of flavors and textures.
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Cut into 1-inch pieces. Thighs offer incredible flavor and tenderness, resisting drying out during cooking.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: For sautéing and building the flavor base.
- 1 large yellow onion: Diced, providing a sweet and aromatic foundation.
- 1 red bell pepper: Diced, adding a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
- 2 cloves garlic: Minced, for that essential pungent flavor.
- 1 cup long-grain white rice: Rinsed thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent stickiness.
- 1 can (15 oz) black eyed peas: Drained and rinsed. These legumes are the star alongside the chicken, bringing their unique, slightly earthy flavor and creamy texture.
- 4 cups chicken broth: Low sodium is preferred, allowing you to control the seasoning. This forms the liquid base for cooking the rice and infusing all the ingredients with flavor.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: A classic Southern herb that pairs wonderfully with chicken and peas.
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds a deep, smoky undertone that elevates the dish.
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional): For a subtle kick of heat, adjust to your preference.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste, for seasoning throughout the cooking process.
- ¼ cup fresh parsley: Chopped, for garnish and a touch of freshness.
How to Make Chicken Rice Black Eyed Peas
This chicken rice black eyed peas dish is incredibly easy to prepare, delivering a delicious, satisfying, and fulfilling meal without much fuss. Its simplicity lies in its one-pot nature, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully as it simmers. The tender chicken, creamy black eyed peas, and perfectly cooked rice come together in a savory broth, creating a comforting texture that’s truly delightful. Ready in just about 45 minutes, it’s a quick and flavorful escape for any busy evening.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thigh pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or a deep, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until lightly browned. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point; we’re just building flavor and color. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the same pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Rice and Seasonings: Stir in the rinsed white rice, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the rice and allow it to absorb the aromatic flavors.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and stir well, making sure to scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Return Chicken and Peas: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, return the seared chicken pieces to the pan, and add the drained and rinsed black eyed peas. Gently stir everything together.
- Cook the Rice: Cover the pan tightly with a lid and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Avoid lifting the lid too often during this time, as it releases steam crucial for cooking the rice properly.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest, still covered, for 5-10 minutes. This allows the rice to steam further and become perfectly fluffy.
- Serve: Uncover, fluff the chicken rice black eyed peas with a fork, stir in the fresh chopped parsley, and taste for any final seasoning adjustments. Serve warm.
Hearty Chicken Rice Black Eyed Peas One-Pot Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thigh pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper.1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the same pan, scraping up any browned bits. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until aromatic.1 large yellow onion, 1 red bell pepper, 2 cloves garlic
- Add Rice and Seasonings: Stir in the rinsed white rice, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the rice and absorb the aromatic flavors.1 cup long-grain white rice, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Combine and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil.4 cups chicken broth
- Return Chicken and Peas: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, return the seared chicken pieces to the pan, and add the drained and rinsed black eyed peas. Gently stir everything together.1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 can black eyed peas
- Cook the Rice: Cover the pan tightly with a lid and let it simmer for **18-20 minutes**, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Avoid lifting the lid.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest, still covered, for **5-10 minutes**. This allows the rice to steam further and become perfectly fluffy.
- Serve: Uncover, fluff with a fork, stir in the fresh chopped parsley, and taste for any final seasoning adjustments. Serve warm.Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 cup fresh parsley
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Rice Black Eyed Peas
This chicken rice black eyed peas recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen for so many reasons! The main highlight is its incredible savory depth – the slow simmer allows the chicken, rice, and black eyed peas to meld into a harmonious symphony of flavors, with the smoked paprika and thyme adding a truly comforting, Southern touch. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also incredibly cost-effective. Using budget-friendly chicken thighs, rice, and canned black eyed peas, you can feed a crowd without breaking the bank, making it an ideal choice for economical home cooking.
What genuinely makes this dish special are the flavorful nuances – the earthy sweetness of the black eyed peas, the tender chicken, and the aromatic blend of herbs. While it shares the hearty, satisfying qualities of a classic jambalaya, this recipe shines with its distinct, milder Southern flavor profile, making it a unique and delightful alternative. We’re confident that once you try this recipe, it’ll earn a permanent spot in your regular meal rotation. Why not dive in and prepare this wonderful comforting dish for dinner tonight?
What to Serve Chicken Rice Black Eyed Peas With
This hearty chicken rice black eyed peas dish is robust enough to be a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides that complement its flavors and textures.
- Crusty Cornbread: A true Southern classic, cornbread is perfect for soaking up any leftover savory broth.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the main dish.
- Steamed Collard Greens or Okra: These traditional Southern vegetables would make excellent, authentic accompaniments.
- Sautéed Garlic Green Beans: A quick and easy vegetable side that adds freshness and a hint of garlic.
- Hot Sauce: For those who like an extra kick, a dash of your favorite hot sauce is a perfect addition.
Top Tips for Perfecting Chicken Rice Black Eyed Peas
To ensure your chicken rice black eyed peas turn out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tips in mind:
- Rinse Your Rice: Don’t skip this step! Rinsing long-grain white rice under cold running water until the water runs clear removes excess starch, preventing your rice from becoming gummy and ensuring fluffy, distinct grains.
- Proper Browning: Searing the chicken until it’s nicely browned adds a significant depth of flavor (fond) to the bottom of the pan, which then deglazes and mixes into the broth, enriching the entire dish. Don’t worry about cooking it through at this stage.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When browning the chicken or sautéing vegetables, work in batches if necessary. Overcrowding lowers the pan temperature, steaming ingredients instead of browning them, which hinders flavor development.
- Tight Lid is Key: Once the broth is added and the rice is simmering, a tightly fitting lid is crucial. This traps the steam needed to cook the rice evenly and prevents the liquid from evaporating too quickly. Resist the urge to peek!
- Resting Time: Allowing the dish to rest off the heat for 5-10 minutes after cooking allows the rice to finish absorbing any remaining liquid and steam itself, leading to a perfectly fluffy texture and preventing it from becoming mushy.
- Adjust Seasoning: Always taste and adjust salt, pepper, and even the cayenne or smoked paprika at the end. Different chicken broths have varying sodium levels, so final adjustment is essential for perfect flavor.
- Ingredient Substitutions: Feel free to swap chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breast, though thighs retain more moisture. You can also experiment with other beans like cannellini or navy beans if black eyed peas aren’t available, but the flavor profile will change slightly. For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken, use vegetable broth, and add extra vegetables.
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Proper storage and reheating are crucial for enjoying your delicious chicken rice black eyed peas leftovers safely and with optimal flavor.
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the dish has cooled completely before transferring it to storage containers to prevent condensation and bacterial growth.
- Freezing: This dish freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, transfer the chicken rice black eyed peas to freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. For best results, portion into individual servings for easy thawing and reheating.
- Reheating (Microwave): For individual portions, transfer the desired amount to a microwave-safe dish. Add a tablespoon or two of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out, cover loosely, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through.
- Reheating (Stovetop): For larger quantities or a more even reheat, transfer the leftovers to a skillet or pot over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water, cover, and gently warm, stirring occasionally, until heated through. The added liquid helps restore moisture.
- From Frozen: Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight before reheating as described above. If reheating directly from frozen, it will take longer, and you’ll definitely want to add a bit of liquid.
Final Thoughts
This chicken rice black eyed peas recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a warm, comforting hug in a bowl. It embodies the essence of Southern home cooking—simple ingredients transforming into something truly special and nourishing. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, a satisfying one-pot wonder, or a taste of genuine comfort, this dish delivers on all fronts. Give it a try, gather your loved ones around the table, and savor the rich, rustic flavors of this delightful recipe. You’ll soon discover why it’s destined to become a beloved staple in your culinary repertoire!
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