I love how this dish looks complex and as if you’ve slaved over it and yet it is quite simple. The rice and chicken are relatively plain to suit the less adventurous eaters at your table and yet, jazz it up with all the little extras, and the dish becomes exciting, full of different flavours and textures.

Serves 6

Ingredients	Equipment to have ready
For the chicken:	Chopping board
8 chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks work best)	Sharp knife
2 tsp smoked paprika	Roasting tin or baking tray
Salt and pepper	Ovenproof shallow casserole with lid
	Measuring jug
For the rice:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp chipotle or BBQ sauce
450ml basmati rice (measure in a jug)
400g can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 roasted peppers from a jar, sliced
900ml chicken stock
Salt and pepper
For the toppings:
2 avocados, sliced
3 tomatoes, sliced into strips
1/4 cucumber, cut into cubes
1/4 small red cabbage, thinly shredded
2-3 red chillies, finely sliced
Large handful of mint and/or coriander leaves, finely chopped
3 limes, quartered

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C.
2. Put the chicken pieces on a baking tray, skin side up. Season with salt, pepper and the smoked paprika. Bake in the oven for around 45 minutes until the skin is crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
3. Put casserole on a low heat, add the oil then sweat the onions until translucent.
4. Add the garlic, cook whilst stirring for a couple of minutes until the fumes have dissipated.
5. Add the chipotle or BBQ sauce and season with salt and pepper.
6. Tip in the rice and coat with the onion mixture before stirring through the peppers and beans.
7. Pour in the stock. Bring to the boil, put the lid on and transfer to the oven for approx. 20 – 30 minutes until the rice is cooked and no stock is left.
8. Remove the chicken and the rice from the oven. Transfer the chicken to the top of the rice and serve.
9. Put all the toppings on a plate to be sprinkled over the top of the rice as people please.