Description
Herbed Chicken and Rice is a comforting vegan meal combining savory seared vegan chicken, flavorful herb-infused sauce, tender broccoli, and hearty brown rice baked to perfection. This wholesome dish offers a delicious family-friendly dinner that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegan Chicken
- 1 package of Vegan Chicken Drumsticks (or 8–10 ounces of any type of unbreaded vegan chicken)
Rice and Vegetables
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 2 1/2 cups frozen broccoli, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic (plus 3 cloves for rice cooking)
Herbs and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
- 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Prepare the brown rice according to the package directions, substituting water with vegetable broth and adding 3 cloves of minced garlic to enhance the flavor. Once cooked, set the rice aside.
- Sauté Onion and Herbs: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the vegan butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it begins to turn golden. Stir in the minced garlic and the chopped herbs: parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Continue to cook for a few more minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Brown the Chicken: Add the vegan chicken drumsticks to the skillet and sear on all sides until they achieve a golden brown color. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet with the residual butter and herbs, sprinkle the flour and stir to combine. Allow to cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid lumps. Gradually pour in the vegetable broth while stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the chopped broccoli and cooked brown rice into the thickened sauce, mixing thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Bake: Transfer the rice mixture into a baking dish. Arrange the browned vegan chicken pieces on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35 minutes to meld the flavors and cook thoroughly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this comforting and herbaceous vegan chicken and rice dish as a satisfying family meal.
Notes
- Using vegetable broth to cook the rice adds extra depth of flavor.
- Make sure to sear the vegan chicken well to develop a nice golden crust for added texture.
- You can swap frozen broccoli for fresh if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Covering the baking dish with foil helps keep the moisture in and prevents the rice from drying out.
- Feel free to add a pinch of poultry seasoning to the sauce for extra savory notes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan American
