Simple One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Carrots & Peas
Introduction
Nothing beats the convenience, flavor, and minimal cleanup of a simple one-pot meal like Chicken and Rice with Carrots & Peas. This classic dish delivers a complete, comforting dinner, uniting tender pieces of chicken, fluffy rice, and colorful vegetables in a single pan. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping ahead, this recipe brings both ease and nourishment to your home kitchen.
Why This One-Pot Chicken and Rice Is a Weeknight Favorite
The harmonious combination of juicy chicken, rich aromatic rice, and sweet carrots and peas create a dish everyone loves—kids and adults alike. The recipe saves time and energy by cooking everything together, meaning less time spent cleaning up. Plus, the vegetables cook until perfectly tender, soaking up all the flavors of the seasoned chicken and broth for irresistible taste in every bite.
How to Prepare Your Ingredients Quickly and Easily
Start by chopping your carrots into thin rounds. To make prep super fast, use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper, which streamlines dicing and ensures uniform pieces for even cooking. Slice the chicken into bite-sized chunks; a quality bamboo cutting board helps keep your workspace organized and sanitary.
Gather your peas (fresh or frozen work well). Measure your rice using the Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display for precision and optimal texture.
Cooking the Chicken and Rice: Building Flavor in One Pot
Choose a sturdy, oven-safe pan for the best results; the Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet distributes heat evenly and gives a slight crust to the chicken. Sauté the chicken with aromatics until browned before adding rice, carrots, peas, and broth. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, cover, and let the flavors meld as the rice cooks to fluffy perfection.
For the most accurate, juicy chicken, check doneness with the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking—chicken should reach 165°F.
Serving and Storing Your One-Pot Meal
Let the chicken and rice rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to deepen. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve straight from the pan for rustic charm. If you have leftovers or need a convenient lunch, portion into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy reheating and transport.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This one-pot recipe serves four generous portions, each offering balanced macros: lean protein from the chicken, complex carbs from rice, and fiber and vitamins from the vegetables. Each serving comes in at about 400–450 calories, making it wholesome and satisfying.
Simple One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Carrots & Peas (Recap)
A fuss-free, flavor-packed meal, this one-pot recipe brings chicken, rice, and vegetables together in perfect harmony. Time-saving steps and simple cleanup make it an instant hit in any kitchen. Tweak the seasonings or add more veggies to make it your own!
Ingredients
Instructions
- On a bamboo cutting board, dice the carrots quickly and evenly with the Mueller Pro-Series Vegetable Chopper. Cut chicken into cubes.
- Heat olive oil in a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in carrots and rice. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute, allowing the rice to toast slightly.
- Return chicken to the pot. Add peas, broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.
- Lower heat to a simmer, cover, and cook 18–20 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. (Check chicken is cooked through using the ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer.)
- Remove from heat, let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, adjust seasoning as needed, and garnish with parsley if using.
- Serve hot. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for an easy grab-and-go meal.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes