One-Pan Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Rice - flavorful, delicious, gluten free recipe! Very easy to make, everything is done in one-pot, on stove-top, no need to turn on the oven!
Just let the rice cook in the juices from the chicken thighs and in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth). The rice come out super delicious, and the chicken thighs are perfectly moist, tender, and flavorful! You don't need to spend a lot of time making this One-Pan Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Rice which makes it a great recipe for weeknights.
This might become one of your favorite ways to cook chicken and rice. I am really in love with this cilantro-lime black bean chicken and rice!
How to make One-Pan Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Rice
First, heat a large skillet on medium-high heat until hot. Add olive oil - it should run easily because the skillet is hot, but not sizzle or smoke. Season skin side of chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Sear them on high-medium heat in the skillet, skin-side down, for 5 minutes, until skins get golden brown color but don't get burned.
Flip the chicken thighs to the other side and sear for 2 more minutes on medium heat. That's how the chicken thigh skins should look like - nicely browned, but not burned. Skillet should not be burned on the bottom - use medium-high heat or medium heat, depending on your stove. Remove the chicken from the skillet (it will not be cooked through - you'll continue cooking it in the next steps).
To the same (now empty) skillet, add chicken broth, water, rice, ¼ teaspoon salt and minced garlic.
Don't forget to add garlic - it add so much flavor:
Bring to boil. Mix everything well. Put chicken thighs on top, making wells for them in the rice. Reduce to the heat to low boil simmer. Cover the skillet with the lid.
Simmer for 15-20 minutes, covered, until the rice is cooked through and chicken is done (no longer pink in the center).
Remove the chicken from the skillet. Mix in the 1 tablespoon of lime juice, rinsed and rained black beans, and fresh cilantro into the cooked rice. Taste, and add more salt and/or another small amount of lime juice (at most 1 extra tablespoon, try adding half of extra tablespoon first). I think 2 tablespoons of lime juice (freshly squeezed only!) are just perfect, but the lime flavor might be too strong for some people, so you might use just 1 or 1.5 tablespoon instead of 2 that I used.
Add the chicken back on top and serve the dinner!
One-Pan Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 chicken thighs
- salt and pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup Jasmine rice , uncooked, or use any rice that says on the package that it takes 15 minutes to cook it
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice , freshly squeezed (use one 1 tablespoon first, before adding another)
- 15 oz black beans , rinsed, drained
- ½ cup fresh cilantro , chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat until hot. Add olive oil - it should run easily because the skillet is hot, but not sizzle or smoke.
- Season skin side of chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Sear them on high-medium heat in the skillet, skin-side down, for 5 minutes, until skins get golden brown color but don't get burned. Skillet should not be burned on the bottom.
- Flip the chicken thighs to the other side and sear for 2 more minutes on medium heat.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet (it will not be cooked through - you'll continue cooking it in the next steps).
- To the same (now empty) skillet, add chicken broth, water, uncooked rice, ¼ teaspoon salt, and minced garlic. Bring to boil. Mix everything well.
- Put chicken thighs on top, making wells for them in the rice.
- Reduce the heat to low boil simmer. Cover the skillet with the lid. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, covered, until the rice is cooked through, and the chicken is completely cooked (no longer pink in the center).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet.
- Mix in the 1 tablespoon of lime juice, rinsed and drained black beans, and fresh cilantro into the cooked rice. Taste, and add more salt and/or another small amount of lime juice (at most 1 extra tablespoon, try adding half of the extra tablespoon first).
- Note: I think 2 tablespoons of lime juice (freshly squeezed only!) are just perfect, but the lime flavor might be too strong for some people, so you might use just 1 or 1.5 tablespoons instead of 2 that I used.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This was so delicious! I did sprinkle on some cotija cheese on the rice because we had it, but we loved it without it too! 🙂
I’ve been making this recipe for years now. Just had to let you know how much we love it. I make it for any meal train I’m apart of (since it’s GF) and it’s always a hit.
Robin, thank you for taking the time to comment! ❤️ I am glad you love this recipe and made it many times. 🙂
Whoever came up with this recipe came up with a gold mine. This will be my third time making this dish and I have to say, that I love it every time.
I am so happy you've enjoyed this! Thank you for this positive and enthusiastic comment - it made my day! 🙂 If you like this combination, take a look at this recipe (if you like shrimp):
https://juliasalbum.com/cilantro-lime-black-bean-shrimp-and-rice/
I never leave comments on recipes...but I just had to for this one because we eat it once a week at least! So simple and delicious!
Brooke, your comment truly made my day. I am so glad you stopped by and shared that you make this dish often. It's important for any food blogger to read comments like that! 🙂
Family favorite! I add avocado and corn.
Super easy, super tasty. Love it! Making it again tonight!
Melanie, I love your enthusiastic comment! Love that you added avocado and corn - so delicious!
I mase this with cutting up the chicken in bite size pieces and stirred in the black beans cilantro, lime juice & was going to add frozen corn but I was out. This is one of favorite recipes. I literally made it first back & 2016 when I came across it. I had been looking for it I really appreciate you sharing.
Tori, so nice to read comments like this - that you made this back in 2016, shortly after I published it. This sounds delicious with cut up chicken! Thank you for the comment and the 5-stars! 🙂
I thought it was just ok not enough flavor for me, I added diced sweet potatoes and corn and a diced onion. Next time I will sauté the garlic with the onions and chicken and also use more lime
Julie, I love your creativity! Diced sweet potatoes and corn sound delicious!
Can this be frozen?
Yes, this will freeze well.
Loved it!! Sauteed a half an onion and an Anaheim pepper and added it back in with the stock. Served with sliced avocado, lime wedges for that extra kick, and a few tortilla chips. This is definitely a keeper!
Tina, you took this recipe to a whole new level! Love that you served this with sliced avocado and tortilla chips!
What a great, light, easy recipe! Even my husband said “it’s a keeper”. I sautéd onions and chopped mushrooms with the garlic, then added the rice and liquid. Then completed the recipe as written. This is now a new staple in our household!
Susie, your comment made my day! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the recipe and I love your additions of sauteed onions and chopped mushrooms!
How can I adapt this for the instant pot?
Probably one of the fastest and easiest and most flavorful dishes I've ever made! I didn't have fresh cilantro and I bet it would make it taste even better.
Love this recipe. I’ve made it a few times and keep it as a regular meal. It’s inexpensive and tasty!
This was great and easy! I’ll definitely be making it again! Thank you.
I tried this recipe today and it came out deliciously! I added in onions and it was perfect!!
Thank you, Kimberly! Glad you enjoyed this dish! 🙂
So, lived in Costa Rica for a year 2 decades ago and became addicted to their beans and rice dish. Often had 2 times a day. Since my return to Canada, have tried on and off to duplicate Gallo pinto/ pinto Gallo This recipe hit the nail on the head. My mistake was adding too many ingredients. I did not use black beans, used 6 bean medley, black eyed peas also an option!