24/06/2026
If you're anything like me and regularly suffer from a severe lack of enthusiasm for cooking 😉, then this recipe is for you!
This was born out of a busy Tuesday morning, some leftover rice, a bit of chicken sitting in the fridge, and absolutely no desire to spend hours in the kitchen. The result? A delicious one-tray baked chicken and rice lunch that practically cooks itself.
And before anyone asks—no, there are no measurements. After cooking four meals a day for a family of three for what feels like several lifetimes, most of us can eyeball quantities pretty well. So trust your instincts!
Ingredients:
- Leftover cooked rice
- Chicken
- Onion
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter
Method:
Start by marinating the chicken. I used tomato sauce, pizza seasoning, and a squeeze of lemon juice. But honestly, use whatever you have. Ginger-garlic paste and curd, tomato paste and spices, peri-peri seasoning—there are no rules here. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, slice a couple of onions into rounds and chop some garlic cloves. You can leave the garlic whole if you're feeling extra lazy (which is perfectly acceptable for this recipe).
Lightly oil a baking tray. Arrange the onions and garlic as a base layer. If you have some bell peppers or carrots lying around, throw those in too. Spread the rice over the vegetables and place the marinated chicken on top.
Dot the rice with small pieces of cold butter, then sprinkle some salt and pepper over everything. Cover the tray tightly with aluminium foil and bake at 200°C for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
If you remember—and that's a big "if" on a weekday—open the foil halfway through and brush a little oil over the chicken to keep it juicy.
Serve with a simple salad or some raita, and that's lunch for two sorted with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
Proof that leftovers and laziness can sometimes create magic. 😄
