One Pot Chicken Drumsticks and Rice | Quick & Healthy One Pot Recipe for Weeknights
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4 Servings
 
Ingredients
  • Chicken drumsticks - 8, bone-in & skinless
  • Rice - 1 & ¼ cup
  • Water - 2 & ½ cup
For chicken:
  • Garlic powder - 2 tsp
  • Onion powder - 2 tsp
  • Salt - 1 tsp
  • Pepper - 1 tsp
  • Paprika - 2 tsp
  • Olive oil - 2 tbsp
For rice:
  • Onion - 2, medium, sliced
  • Garlic - 10 cloves, minced
  • Ginger - 2-inch piece grated
  • Green chilli - 2, sliced
  • Cumin powder - 2 tsp
  • Oil - 4 tbsp
  • Salt to taste
  • Coriander leaves to garnish
Instructions
  1. Wash and pat dry the chicken drumsticks. Then take them in a mixing bowl and add the spices & aromatics - garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt & pepper to taste.
  2. Give a good toss to coat each drumstick evenly with the spices. Set them aside for 10 minutes.
  3. While the chicken is marinating, wash the rice with normal water for 3 to 4 times until the water runs clear. Then drain out all the water and set it aside.
  4. Heat a large pot which is big enough to hold all the chicken drumsticks along with the full amount of cooked rice.
  5. Add about 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan and let it warm up. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken drumsticks to the pan.
  6. We will sear the drumsticks until they develop a nice golden brown color. Continue to sear the drumsticks on medium low flame for about 10 minutes.
  7. Flip over the drumsticks after 10 minutes and sear the other side for 5 minutes until golden brown. Then take out the chicken drumsticks on a plate and set aside.
  8. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of oil to the same pan. Once the oil is warm, add minced garlic and chopped green chillies. Sauté them for a minute until fragrant.
  9. Next add the sliced onions to the pan and continue to fry them on medium flame until they turn translucent and golden brown.
  10. At this stage add the grated ginger and mix it in with onion and garlic. Now add the washed rice and sauté it on medium flame for about 5 to 6 minutes until any excess water is absorbed.
  11. Now it’s time to add the spices and seasoning - so add the cumin powder and salt to taste. You can also add a dash of black pepper but it’s optional.
  12. Give a good stir to evenly distribute the spices with rice and aromatics. Then add water - measure of water must be exactly double the amount of rice.*
  13. After adding water, place the seared chicken drumsticks over the rice in a single layer.
  14. Reduce the flame to minimum and cover the pan with a tight fitting lid ensuring no steam is able to escape.
  15. Leave the chicken drumsticks and rice pot on lowest flame for exactly 15 minutes. All the water should be absorbed by now.
  16. After 15 minutes, switch off the flame and leave the pot on the stovetop with the lid on for at least 30 minutes before serving.**
  17. Garnish your chicken and rice with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve warm on its own! Enjoy!
Notes
* Pro tip: Measure the water in the same measuring cup that you used for measuring rice to have a perfectly fluffy rice.

** Pro tip: This will ensure any excess moisture gets absorbed by the rice and your one pot chicken drumsticks and rice comes out super fluffy!
Recipe by Flavor Quotient at https://flavorquotient.com/2025/07/one-pot-chicken-drumsticks-and-rice/