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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Easy Chicken and Rice

As a busy mom of four, I love meals that come together quickly in one pot and this chicken and rice recipe is one of my absolute favorites. It’s easy to prepare and is fairly inexpensive to make. The best part about it is that everything is cooked together in just one pan, cutting down on cleanup time later.

Not only is it a healthy chicken breast recipe, but it also has amazing flavor too. It tastes like a better-for-you version of the classic chicken and rice casserole that many of us grew up on. It’s hearty and packed with delicious ingredients like jasmine rice, chicken thighs (or breasts), onions, carrots, celery, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley.

This easy chicken and rice recipe will become a go-to one-pot meal that your family begs for over and over again. Even my kids love this dish and go back for seconds whenever I make it!

Ingredients

For this easy one-pot chicken and rice meal you are going to have simple ingredinets that are pantry and fresh vegetables.

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.
• 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 or precooked rice.
• 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

Making this easy chicken and rice dinner is quick and easy. This is going to be your go-to dinner each week, it is that delicious!

• Sauté the meat. 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 in garlic and veggies. Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet with the chicken and sauté for another 3 minutes. Next, add the carrots and celery.
• Cook rice. 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).
• Add cheese and parsley. Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Add more salt, pepper, or seasonings if desired.

Tips and Variations

• Chicken. Use chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner alternative (thighs will result in more flavor).
• Pre-cooked chicken. You may also 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.
• Herbs. You may substitute fresh parsley, thyme with basil or oregano if preferred.

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.

Storing and Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. When ready to reheat, take out of storage and warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop until it is warmed through.