One Pot Chicken and Rice

This easy one-pot chicken and rice recipe is a healthy dinner made with simple and real ingredients. Perfect for any night of the week!

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Ingredients

This easy one-pot chicken and rice meal is made with simple pantry ingredients and fresh vegetables. My family always goes back for seconds!

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Chicken: I love to use chicken thighs for this recipe because they are less expensive than breast meat and have more flavor since they are dark meat. The richness of the thigh meat gives the dish tons of flavor. You can use chicken breast if preferred.
• Olive oil: Used when cooking the meat and vegetables to keep them from sticking to the pan and add additional flavor.
• Vegetables: An aromatic mix of diced onion, celery, and shredded carrots, also known as “mirepoix” in French cuisine.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic will add the best flavor to this dish. Learn how to mince garlic in a few different ways.
• Rice: I prefer to use jasmine rice, which is a long-grain rice that has a super fluffy texture once cooked. Do not use instant rice, brown rice or precooked rice which cook at different times than intended.
• Chicken broth: The liquid needed to cook the rice in the pan. It also adds additional flavor to the dish.
• Cheese: Freshly shredded or grated Parmesan cheese adds a creamy element to this dish, as well as a rich, tangy flavor.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and fresh chopped parsley finish off the flavor of this meal.

How to Make Chicken and Rice

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Place chicken thigh pieces into heated oil and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until cooked through.

Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet with the chicken and sauté for another 3 minutes. Next, add the carrots and celery.

Increase heat to high and add broth, then stir in the rinsed rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Stir again and then cover and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked (stirring occasionally).

Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Add more salt, pepper, or seasonings if desired.

Tips and Variations

• Pre-cooked chicken. You can use cooked chicken in this recipe (such as rotisserie). Simply mix in the cooked meat after the vegetables have been sautéed.
• Garlic. If you are a garlic lover, add a few additional garlic cloves to the broth to help infuse more garlic flavor or garlic powder. Then remove the cloves before serving.
• Vegetables. Feel free to include extra vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or mushrooms. Simply add them in when sautéing the onions, carrots, and celery.
• Stock. Rather than using chicken broth, you can use vegetable stock instead. For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth.
• Herbs. You may substitute fresh parsley, thyme with basil or oregano if preferred.
• Pressure cooker: Achieve the same delicious flavors by making this Instant Pot chicken and rice.

What to Serve with Chicken and Rice

Any of the below side dishes would taste great with this easy chicken and rice recipe. Make a complete meal with any of these sides. These are all great combinations!

• A crusty loaf of homemade French bread or garlic bread.
• A small chopped salad topped with a zesty vinaigrette.
• Make parmesan roasted broccoli in the oven while the rice and chicken cook on the stove.
• Whip up more steamed vegetables and either serve on the side or mixed into your meal.