Gluten-free one-pot rice with chicken thighs, peppers and olives

Gluten-free one-pot rice with chicken thighs, peppers, tomatoes, olives, smoked paprika and turmeric, like a simple paella made in one pot. Dinner in 45 minutes with 37 g of protein.

At a glance

• Serves 4
• Prep time: 15 min
• Cooking time: 30 min
• Total time: 45 min
• Calories: 518 kcal per serving
• Protein: 38 g
• Fat: 15 g
• Carbs: 57 g

Ingredients

• 600g boneless chicken thighs
• 250g long-grain rice
• 2 peppers
• 60g olives
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 200g chopped tomatoes
• 600ml chicken stock
• 1 lemon
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 bunch of parsley

Method

You’ll need: saucepan · chopping board · knife · wooden spoon

1. Cut the chicken thighs into large pieces and season them with the smoked paprika and half the salt. Brown them all over in the olive oil in a wide pan for 6 min and take them out.
2. Dice the onion, garlic and peppers and fry them in the pan for 4 min. Stir in the turmeric and rice for 1 min.
3. Pour in the tomatoes and stock, put the meat on top and season with the remaining salt.
4. Bring everything to the boil and cook the rice, covered, over a low heat for 20 min without stirring.
5. Halve the olives and chop the parsley. Scatter both over the rice, leave it to rest for 5 min and serve with lemon wedges.

Good to know

A real paella needs a big pan and practice. This one-pot version has the same flavours – smoked paprika, peppers, olives – and does without saffron. Chicken thighs stay juicier than breast.

Swaps

Chicken thighs → prawns (cook them for the last 5 min). Long-grain rice → short-grain rice. Olives → capers. Turmeric → a few saffron threads.

Cooking tips

Don't stir while the rice is cooking; that way a lightly toasted layer forms on the bottom. When buying the stock, check that it's gluten-free.

Storage

Chill quickly and eat within 1 day, not 3 (NHS advice for rice). Reheat once, piping hot.

Allergens

Gluten-free if the stock is gluten-free; no milk, egg or nuts. Suitable for children. Suitable in pregnancy, as the chicken is cooked through.

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