One-Pan Chicken & Ptitim with Shabbat Rice Blend

Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: About 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Kosher: Meat

This is the kind of dish Savta loves. One pan, simple ingredients, and deep flavor that builds as it cooks. Chicken and ptitim (Israeli Couscous) come together with Savta’s Shabbat Rice Blend for a warm, comforting meal that feels just right for a Friday night.

Ingredients (serves 4–6)

• 5 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1½ to 2 tablespoons Savta’s Shabbat Rice Blend
• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1½ cups ptitim (Israeli couscous)
• 2¼ to 2½ cups chicken broth or water
• Fresh parsley or dill, for serving

Preparation

1. Season the chicken
   Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil and Savta’s Shabbat Rice Blend. Set aside while you prepare the pan.

2. Sear
   Heat a wide oven-safe skillet or baking dish over medium-high heat. Add the chicken skin-side down and sear until deeply golden. Remove the chicken and set aside.

3. Build the base
   In the same pan, add the onion and carrots if using. Sauté until softened. Stir in the ptitim and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors from the pan.

4. Deglaze and assemble
   Pour in the broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer. Nestle the chicken thighs back into the pan, skin-side up.

5. Bake
   Cover tightly and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
   Uncover and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is crisp and the ptitim is tender.

6. Rest and finish
   Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Finish with fresh herbs and serve straight from the pan.

Savta’s Tip

This dish only gets better as it rests. The ptitim soak up the chicken juices, and the Shabbat Rice Blend deepens, giving you that warm Friday-night flavor with almost no effort.