One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice

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This one-pan chicken and cabbage recipe is a super-flavorful dish. The rice absorbs all the flavor from the chicken and broth mixture.

a recipe photo of the One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice
Credit:

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
4
  • This simple one-pan recipe is easy to prepare and flavorful thanks to broth infused with lemon and oregano.
  • Chicken thighs provide a complete source of protein, nine essential amino acids, selenium, zinc and vitamin B12.
  • Use any cut of bone-in chicken for best results, but avoid boneless, as it can dry out quickly.

If you've been hunting for chicken and cabbage recipes, look no further. Our One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice is easy and delicious. We left most of the work to the oven, where the rice absorbs the lemon- and oregano-infused broth and becomes the bed for the protein-rich roasted chicken and melty cabbage. Of course, we saved room for a fresh garnish: bright oregano, juicy lemon and salty feta cheese to finish it off. Keep reading for our expert tips on rice suggestions, how to know when the chicken is done and more!

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • This recipe calls for green cabbage, but red cabbage can be used interchangeably in most dishes because it has a similar flavor and texture.
  • We opted for brown basmati rice for various reasons, but if you only have regular brown rice or white rice, feel free to use those instead.
  • We chose bone-in chicken thighs because they cook up moist and tender. However, you can use any cut of bone-in chicken for good results. We recommend avoiding boneless chicken, as it can dry out quickly. It's also important to monitor the cooking process, especially when experimenting with ingredients, to prevent overcooking.
  • The 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard is included to help balance the flavors and create a creamy texture while preventing the sauce from separating.

Nutrition Notes

  • Chicken thighs are a great source of complete protein. This means that they contain all nine of the essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own and must get from food. Chicken thighs are also an excellent source of selenium and a good source of zinc and vitamin B12. 
  • Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable and, like all cruciferous veggies, it's loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Altogether, cabbage offers a healthy package that can help fight inflammation, improve gut health and lower the risk of cancer.
  • Brown basmati rice is an aromatic rice that is very similar to regular brown rice nutrition-wise. It's a whole grain and, like other whole grains, is a good source of fiber. This means that it offers gut-health benefits by keeping your bowels moving. Brown rice is also a source of magnesium, which is necessary for a plethora of things in your body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
the ingredients to make the One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano, plus more for garnish

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided

  • 4 (6-ounce) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

  • 1 small head green cabbage (about 16 ounces), cut into 6 (1½- to 2-inch-thick) wedges

  • 1 cup brown basmati rice

  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

  • Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk 2¼ cups broth, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 tablespoon oil, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper together in a medium bowl until combined.

    step 1 in making the One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice

    Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

  2. Sprinkle 4 chicken thighs with the remaining ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, skin-sides down; cook, undisturbed, until the skins are golden brown and crispy, about 6 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Do not wipe the pan clean.

    step 2 in making the One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice

    Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

  3. Add 6 cabbage wedges to the pan; cook over medium-high heat, flipping once, until slightly charred and beginning to become tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a separate plate. Do not wipe the pan clean.

    step 3 in making the One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice

    Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

  4. Reduce heat to medium; 1 cup cook rice, stirring constantly, until toasted and fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the broth mixture until evenly combined.

    step 4 in making the One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice

    Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

  5. Nestle the cabbage wedges and the chicken, skin-sides up, in a single layer in the rice mixture. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and cover with a tight-fitting lid.

    step 5 in making the One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice

    Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

  6. Transfer to the oven and bake until the liquid is absorbed, the rice is tender, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of chicken registers at least 165°F, about 45 minutes. Remove the lid; bake until the chicken skins crisp up slightly, about 6 minutes. Remove from oven; top evenly with ¼ cup feta. Garnish with oregano and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

    step 6 in making the One-Pan Chicken & Cabbage with Rice

    Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh, scant ¾ cup rice & 1½ cabbage wedges

Calories 418, Fat 17g, Saturated Fat 4g, Cholesterol 112mg, Carbohydrates 40g, Total Sugars 5g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 28g, Fiber 5g, Sodium 737mg, Potassium 541mg

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I prevent the cabbage from falling apart?

    To prevent the cabbage from falling apart, leave the core intact. When cutting cabbage into wedges, cut the cabbage in half lengthwise through the stem end. Then cut each cabbage half into 3 wedges.

  • How do I know when the chicken thighs are done?

    It's best to use an instant-read thermometer to check for internal doneness. Insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the chicken thighs without touching bone. When it registers at least 165°F, it's done. Note that bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are reliably tender and can be cooked up to 195°F and still be moist.

  • What is the trick to getting crispy chicken?

    To get crisp chicken skin, remove the lid from the pan and let the chicken bake directly under the heat for about 6 minutes.

  • What should I serve with One Pan Chicken & Cabbage?

    This is a complete one-pan meal. You could serve a salad and some fresh rolls alongside it. If you'd like to stretch the meal for guests, consider setting out a bowl of roasted vegetables for everyone to enjoy. We have several excellent sheet-pan vegetable recipes to try, including Colorful Roasted Sheet-Pan Vegetables, Sheet-Pan Roasted Root Vegetables and Sweet & Spicy Roasted Carrots.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Place the cooled leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, use a microwave in short 30-second intervals or heat the leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Note: Adding a small amount of water can help loosen thickened sauces and prevent the rice from drying out.

EatingWell.com, December 2023

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.,
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
Jan Valdez,

Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.