Dinner Made Simple: Amazing One-Pot Chicken and Rice!
Introduction
Craving a hearty, comforting meal that comes together with minimal effort and leaves you with only one pot to clean? This Amazing One-Pot Chicken and Rice recipe delivers savory, perfectly seasoned chicken nestled in fluffy, aromatic rice, all simmered to perfection together. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity—no separate sides, no fussy techniques, just wholesome ingredients and bold flavor, perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry crowd.
What Makes This One-Pot Chicken and Rice a Must-Try?
This recipe shines thanks to its balance of juicy, tender chicken and lovely, well-seasoned rice infused with natural chicken juices. The entire meal cooks in a single pot, ensuring that every grain of rice captures the essence of herbs and spices, while the chicken stays incredibly moist. Pair that with minimal cleanup and plenty of room for customization, and you’ve got a dinner everyone will request on repeat.
Essential Prep for Flawless One-Pot Chicken and Rice
The key to this dish is preparing your vegetables and chicken efficiently. A reliable vegetable chopper, such as the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper, can help slice onions, peppers, or carrots in record time—making prep a breeze.
Use a sharp kitchen knife or kitchen shears to trim your chicken. For best flavor, choose a mix of chicken thighs and drumsticks, or opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a lighter version.
A sturdy nonstick skillet, like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch, ensures even cooking and is a perfect choice for sautéing your aromatics and simmering the complete dish.
Simple Steps to the Perfect One-Pot Chicken and Rice
Start by seasoning the chicken well with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Brown it in your skillet for maximum flavor, then remove and sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until fragrant. Add rice and toast briefly before pouring in chicken broth and nestling the chicken back on top. Cover and simmer—letting the magic happen as every bite absorbs robust, savory goodness.
Use a digital meat thermometer like the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking to ensure your chicken reaches a safe and juicy 165°F inside.
Serving, Storage, and Customization Ideas
Serve your one-pot creation straight from the skillet, accompanied by a simple green salad or steamed veggies stashed in a Bentgo Salad Container for easy lunches. Any leftovers can be flawlessly stored in airtight Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers—they keep the rice tasting fresh and the chicken tender.
Customize with extra veggies, different spices, or a splash of lemon juice for brightness. You can even swap in brown rice for added fiber (just increase the cooking liquid and time).
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This one-pot wonder serves 4 to 6, depending on appetite and side dishes. Each serving provides approximately 400–500 calories, with balanced protein, healthy carbohydrates, and essential vitamins from the aromatic vegetables.
One-Pot Chicken and Rice: The Ultimate Easy Dinner (Recap)
Flavorful, nourishing, and incredibly easy, this One-Pot Chicken and Rice recipe ticks every box for weeknight dinner success. Its streamlined cooking and crowd-pleasing flavors ensure it will become a regular rotation in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Season chicken thoroughly with paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on all sides, then transfer to a plate (it does not need to be cooked through).
- Add onions, garlic, and bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in rice and cook for 1–2 minutes, allowing it to soak up flavor. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the pan.
- Return chicken (and any juices) on top of the rice, nestling it in. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20–25 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through (use a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer to verify 165°F internal temperature).
- Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley or cilantro, then serve hot.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Enjoy a delicious, low-fuss dinner with this one-pot chicken and rice—maximum comfort, minimal cleanup!
