Skillet Dill Pickle Chicken Rice (Print View)

Juicy chicken with dill pickle brine served over herbed rice pilaf for a tangy, satisfying skillet meal.

# Components:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup dill pickle brine
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
06 - ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Rice Pilaf

07 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 2 ¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth
12 - ½ cup diced dill pickles
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
14 - ¼ teaspoon salt
15 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh dill sprigs
17 - Sliced dill pickles

# Directions:

01 - Place chicken breasts in a bowl or resealable bag. Add dill pickle brine, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for intensified flavor).
02 - Remove chicken from brine and pat dry. Season both sides with garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature reaching 165°F/74°C). Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
03 - In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sauté the finely chopped onion for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir the long-grain white rice into the skillet, toasting for 1 minute. Incorporate the chicken broth, diced dill pickles, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15–18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
05 - Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Stir in the chopped fresh dill and adjust seasoning as needed. Slice the rested chicken breasts and serve them atop the prepared rice pilaf. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs and additional sliced pickles.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour from start to finish
  • Uses pickle brine you might normally throw away
  • Creates a complete meal in one skillet
  • Perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors
02 -
  • High in protein with approximately 33g per serving
  • Creates minimal dishes as everything cooks in one skillet
  • Repurposes pickle brine that would typically be discarded
  • Can be prepped ahead with chicken marinating overnight

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