Two-time MasterChef winner Ping Coombes has revealed a simple yet innovative recipe that elevates chicken and rice into a standout midweek meal. This easy one-pot dish boasts unexpected textures and a punchy, sweet-savoury marinade, drawing inspiration from her Malaysian heritage.
From Side Dish to Star
The recipe comes from Coombes' new cookbook, Rice, which aims to transform the humble grain from a forgotten side dish to the centrepiece of the plate. "Welcome to your new favourite one-pot rice dish!" said Ping. "I have been exploring ways to incorporate more fibre into my rice dishes to create a more balanced meal. The result is a flavourful dish with added texture and fibre from lentils and sweetcorn."
Recipe Details
Baked Honey and Soy Chicken Rice (serves 4)
Ingredients:
- 5 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 300g jasmine or basmati rice
- 1 tbsp chicken stock powder
- 380ml water
- 160g canned sweetcorn
- 340g canned green lentils
- 20g chives, chopped, for garnish
For the marinade:
- 3 tbsp pineapple juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1½ tsp dark soy sauce
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp five spice powder
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp salt
Method
- Score the top of the chicken thighs a few times to allow the marinade to penetrate deeply. Place in a bowl, add all marinade ingredients, and marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 180C fan / gas mark 6.
- In a large ovenproof pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and fry for five minutes to brown. Flip, pour over the marinade, and cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Add butter, garlic, and rice to the pan, stirring well. Mix in chicken stock powder, water, sweetcorn, and lentils, distributing evenly. Nestle chicken thighs into the rice mixture, cover with a lid, and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove from oven, let stand for five minutes, then sprinkle with chives, fluff the rice, and serve.
More Culinary Inspiration
For those seeking additional meal ideas, consider trying a slow cooker Cajun chicken pasta described as 'delicious and so easy to make', or Mary Berry's 'fuss-free' chicken traybake that's 'full of flavour'.
Coombes' book, Rice, is currently available with a 20% discount on Amazon, priced at £20.76. It offers over 100 recipes from Malaysia and its neighbours, along with essential tips on washing, cooking, and safely reheating rice.
Other recommended reads include The Very Hungry Coeliac by Melanie Persson at £20.90, featuring gluten-free versions of beloved dishes, and The Grain Brain Cookbook by David Perlmutter, discounted 25% to £12.81 on Amazon, with recipes aimed at supporting brain health.
Prices are accurate at the time of publication. For further culinary adventures, explore making Chinese takeaway at home, including insights on light versus dark soy sauce, or discover supermarket ready meals that serve as convenient 'cheat's takeaway' options.
