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Meat, Classics and bistro fare

Chicken and vegetable papillotes with rice

Chicken papillotes with baby vegetables and rice is a family dinner for 4, ready in 40 minutes, rated easy, for €2.80 per person. The chicken steams inside parchment paper with carrots, zucchini, thyme and lemon, which keeps it moist. Success depends on slicing the vegetables very thin and sealing the packets tightly.

Chicken, carrots, zucchini and herbs sealed in parchment, opened right at the table in a cloud of fragrant steam, served with rice.

Chicken and vegetable papillotes with rice
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.80
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Inside the parchment, the chicken steams gently with the vegetables while the butter melts and the lemon adds brightness without taking over. The result is a moist chicken breast, never dry, surrounded by carrots and zucchini that still have a bit of bite. Thyme and lemon give it a fresh scent, with no heavy sauce or excess fat.

This is the kind of dish you reach for on a weeknight when you want something light without giving up on flavor, but it also makes a fun dinner when kids are at the table. Opening the packet in front of them, steam rising out, never fails to impress. Mon Chou likes this dish for its simplicity and for using very little added fat.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 4

Fruits and vegetables

  • Carrots 3
  • Zucchini 2
  • Lemon 1
  • Thyme 4 sprigs

Dairy

  • Butter 40 g

Pantry

  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Slice the carrots and zucchini into thin rounds.

    A mandoline does this in no time.

  2. Cut out four large sheets of parchment paper and spread the vegetables in the center of each.

    Use large sheets so you can seal them well.

  3. Place a chicken breast on each pile, add thyme, a pat of butter, a drizzle of oil, lemon, salt and pepper.

    Thin lemon slices add flavor without bitterness.

  4. Seal the packets tightly by folding the edges and bake. 25 min

    The tighter the seal, the more tender the chicken.

  5. Cook the rice in salted boiling water, drain it and serve alongside the papillotes. 11 min

    Rinse the rice before cooking it, it will turn out fluffier.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pat the chicken dry before placing it in the packet, extra moisture dilutes the juices as they cook.
  • Always put the vegetables under the chicken, they shield the meat from direct contact with the hot paper and cook in its juices.
  • Check doneness by opening one packet before the others, the chicken should look opaque all the way through and the juices should run clear.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for cod fillets, the papillote cooking time drops to about 15 minutes.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with slices of halloumi or chickpeas, which soak up the thyme and lemon nicely.
  • For a quick kid friendly version, dice everything smaller and shorten the rice cooking time, dinner is ready in 30 minutes.

What to serve it with

  • A drizzle of fresh olive oil
  • A green salad with lots of lemon
  • Sparkling water with lemon

Storage

The papillotes keep for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. They don't freeze well since the vegetables release water as they thaw. Reheat the chicken and vegetables in a skillet for a few minutes, or in the oven at 150°C, rather than in the microwave.

Questions about this dish

Can I use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper?

Yes, foil works just as well and seals the packet even tighter. Just avoid letting the lemon touch the foil directly for too long, it can slightly affect the taste.

Can I assemble the papillotes ahead of time?

You can put them together up to 3 hours ahead and keep them in the refrigerator. Take them out 15 minutes before baking so they don't go into the oven cold.

What other vegetables work in this papillote?

Leek, fennel or bell pepper, sliced very thin, work well in place of the zucchini. Avoid watery vegetables like tomato, which would make the packet too soupy.

How do you check the chicken is cooked without cutting it open?

Open one packet and press the chicken breast gently, it should feel firm and the juices should run clear, never pink. If the juices still look cloudy, reseal and bake for 5 more minutes.

How long does it take to make chicken papillotes with baby vegetables and rice?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in chicken papillotes with baby vegetables and rice?

About 510 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does chicken papillotes with baby vegetables and rice cost?

About €2.80 per serving, or €11.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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