I’ve been making this One-Pot Cumin & Smoked Chicken recipe for years. Cooked with sliced potatoes, the chicken is perfectly spiced and tender.
Today is a big day for my youngest son (T), and it’s appropriate that I’m posting this one-pot chicken and potato recipe, one of his favorite dishes. Today is T’s ninth birthday and, little does he know, but he has a big surprise coming his way this afternoon, something that he has been wishing and begging for over the last two years. So has my older son (M), for that matter.
When T comes home after school today, my husband, Steve, and I will lead him upstairs, blindfolded. When the blindfold comes off, he’ll be standing in front of a door adorned with birthday balloons. He knows it as the door to the guest room, but now…
Now it’s going to be his room.
His bed will be tucked in the corner, with a new alarm clock sitting on the bedside table. There will be a cool Bruce Lee poster hanging on the hall for my kung fu-loving boy, and a new striped rug on the floor to brighten things up. We’ll set up his dresser and bookcase along the wall, decorated with T’s kung-fu trophy, rock collection and prized Lego battleships.
T as a bright-eyed baby.
Taking his first steps.
Of course, Steve and I are excited for T, but there’s a small part each of our hearts that aches. For 7 years now, M and T shared a room, one on top of each other in their bunk beds. Listening to them whispering to each other at night, sharing experiences and stories, was such a joy. And now this will just happen on special occasions, when they decide to have a sleepover in one room or the other.
Just a few months ago.
But we know it is time for this rite of passage. M is heading off to middle school next year and they are both yearning for a little privacy, a space to call their own. And so Steve and I will swallow our stifle our sadness, and rejoice with T as he crawls under the covers of his bed….in his own room…as a big 9-year old.
M & T, our two boys.
Happy Birthday to my sweet and funny boy!
The recipe:
This is a recipe that I’ve been making for years. I adapted it from a Cooking Light Magazine recipe that, changing up the spices and proportions to fit our family. It’s one of those recipes that I make when I’m stumped for a new idea because I know it’s going to be a hit, and the ingredients are usually in my freezer and pantry.
I throw everything a large nonstick skillet and let it simmer until done. I truly use this pan at least 4 times per week.
In a small bowl, combine cumin, smoked paprika, brown sugar, coriander, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, cayenne and 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Rub the spice mixture over the chicken thighs. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine potatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, red bell pepper, shallot and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potato mixture to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the chicken broth, cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Uncover and nestle the chicken thighs into the potato mixture.
Cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with the parsley. Serve.
Other one-pot meals:
One-Pot Chicken, Quinoa, Mushrooms & Spinach Recipe
Hearty Chicken Sausage, Roasted Pepper & Whole Wheat Orzo Soup Recipe
Mum’s Chicken & Potato Curry Recipe
One-Pot Cumin & Smoked Paprika Chicken with Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 3/4 pounds red-skinned potatoes cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 shallot diced
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine cumin, smoked paprika, brown sugar, coriander, ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, cayenne and 1½ tablespoon olive oil. Rub the spice mixture over the chicken thighs. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine potatoes, ½ tsp salt, red bell pepper, shallot and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potato mixture to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chicken broth, cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Uncover and nestle the chicken thighs into the potato mixture.
- Cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with the parsley. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Beth Soulliard
I’ve made this one before and loved it. Tonight, when I had one lonely potato left that I wanted to use, I thought of making it again. This time I made it with pork, though. It turned out great! http://www.onemissingingredient.com/one-pot-smoked-paprika-pork-and-potatoes/
michele
hi there – this looks delicious. do you think boneless skinless chicken breasts would work? maybe cut them in half to be the same size as thighs? any difference on cooking time? thanks!
Dara
Hi Michele, I’ve never used chicken breasts in this recipe, but I’m sure it would work well. Yes, I would cut them in half as you suggested. The cooking time will likely be pretty close, maybe a little shorter. Just be sure to check along the way so that the chicken breasts don’t dry out by being overcooked.
Margaret
I made this yesterday and I loved it! I’m sure this will become a staple in my kitchen.
Emy
Hi,
Just made this dish exactly to recipe. To be honest, I was disappointed-the only flavor that really came through was the coriander , otherwise very bland. The brown sugar, paprika, and cumin get lost in the dish.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Emy, I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy this. This recipe is always a big hit with my family and guests we’ve served it to. Typically, I find that the smoked paprika (please double-check that you’re using smoked rather than regular paprika) is the most dominant flavor. Another suggestion…make sure that your spices are fresh and kept in a cool place. Spices that have been sitting around for awhile (and believe me, I’ve done that many times) tend to lose their potency.
Jeniece
Just made this dish as a quick meal cause I had all the ingredients in the house. Flavour is good, preparation is simple and it even worked with bone in chicken thighs. Will definitely be making this one again. Thanks!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Jeniece, I’m so glad you enjoyed this. It’s a favorite dish at our house, and it’s great for a weeknight meal.
Patty
This is a dish that I will be making for the 4th of July, thank you for sharing. I also want to mention Happy belated b-day to T. That picture you of the baby taking first steps is too cute, love it!!
Min
This is such a sweet.sweet post. These are the moments and memories that I hope to experience and treasure as I pray daily for our lil’ miracle. I hear kids grow up very fast and that you should treasure every single moment. As someone who’s always trying to be a step ahead (I’m working on changing this about myself), this will be quite a challenge. Happy birthday, T! Your have a beautiful smile ;).
As for this recipe..my husband’s fork will be all over this! Can’t wait to make this for him soon. He’s been good to me..he always is ;).
Chantal
Hi there, not sure where I went wrong with this recipe.
It looks amazing and I love a good one-pot recipe but the flavours just weren’t wow enough for me. A bit too bland.
Diana@My Humble Kitchen
Dara, I totally remember when I finally got my own room. I had to of been around the same age as T. I’m sure he was so happy!! Thanks for sharing this one pot meal as well. I’m putting it on my menu for this week!
Frank @Memorie di Angelina
Give me anything with smoked paprika and only one pot to clean! Looks delicious, Dara.
Rachel Cooks
Happy birthday to T! Love this recipe–I’m obsessed with cumin.
Mimi
Awww, that is so cute and exciting! I have a nine year old so I am at the same stage with privacy and such but he is an only child so it’s more to do with me wanting to snuggle and kiss on him and he not wanting to so much.
That recipe looks de-lish. Going to show the cooking boyfriend the recipe!
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh wow! This recipe is perfect, the dish looks so delicious 🙂
Happy Birthday to your boy!!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
Happy Birthday to your boy! And I can see why this is one of his favorites. It looks scrumptious! BTW it was nice to finally meet you at BTP 🙂
Jeanette
Happy Birthday to T! The kids grow up so quickly don’t they. Love this one pot meal – smoked paprika is one of my favorite spices – definitely going to give this a whirl Dara.