10 Easy One Pot Meals for Beginners

One pot meals are perfect for beginners because they require fewer dishes and ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Chicken Thighs (skin-on for better fat extraction)
• 2 cups Long-grain Parboiled Rice (rinsed until water is clear)
• 1 large Yellow Onion (finely diced for even melting)
• 4 cloves Fresh Garlic (avoid the pre-minced jarred stuff)
• 1 tbsp Tomato Paste (look for the double-concentrated variety)
• 3 cups Low-sodium Chicken Broth (to control salt levels)
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika (bloomed in oil)
• 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (added at the very end)

Instructions

1. Sear the salted chicken thighs skin-side down in a heavy pot over medium-high heat until the skin releases easily and looks like golden parchment.
2. Remove chicken and sauté onions in the rendered fat until translucent; add garlic and spices only when the onions smell sweet.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it turns a deep rust color, then deglaze with a splash of broth, scraping the bottom.
4. Add the rinsed rice and remaining broth, return the chicken to the top, and bring to a simmer until 'craters' form in the rice.
5. Cover with a tight lid, reduce heat to the lowest setting for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it steam undisturbed for another 10 minutes.