One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

Introduction

One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice is the ultimate in comfort food—a rich, satisfying, and flavor-packed meal that brings dinner to the table with minimal fuss and easy clean up. This dish is a go-to solution for busy weeknights, delivering tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice enveloped in a luscious, velvety sauce. Its one-pot nature means fewer dishes, streamlined cooking, and maximum flavor with less effort.

Why This One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe Shines

The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity and depth of flavor. The rice absorbs the savory juices from the chicken as it simmers, while a creamy base enhances every bite. This is a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will love, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prep. With just a single pot, you get a meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious—and everyone will be asking for seconds.

Building Creamy Flavor in One Pot

Start by browning the chicken to develop rich, caramelized flavors right in your pot. Next, sauté aromatics like onion and garlic before adding rice, broth, and creamy elements. The pot does all the heavy lifting, melding flavors together while making sure each grain of rice and piece of chicken is perfectly cooked and infused with richness.

How to Assemble One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

Once you’ve finished simmering, give the pot a quick stir to perfectly distribute the creamy sauce and make sure the chicken is fork-tender. A finishing touch of fresh herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan elevates the meal even further. Whether you serve it straight from the pot or transfer to a serving dish, it always looks and tastes impressive.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Family Meal

Pair this one pot wonder with a crisp green salad or steamed veggies for added freshness. Warm dinner rolls or garlic bread make great accompaniments, ready to soak up any extra sauce. For a weeknight dinner or casual entertaining, this meal delivers on both taste and presentation.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 hearty servings. Each serving typically contains approximately 500–600 calories, along with a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. The satiating creaminess makes this an ideal main dish that’s both satisfying and comforting.

One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice (Recap)

This entree is the perfect harmony of simplicity and flavor: juicy chicken, creamy rice, and aromatic seasonings unite for a hearty, fuss-free meal that the entire family will request on repeat.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add to the pot. Sauté until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
2. Add diced onion to the same pot and cook until soft and translucent, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
3. Add uncooked rice to the pot, stirring to coat the grains with oil and aromatics, about 1 minute.
4. Pour in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream. Add thyme (or Italian seasoning) and stir well. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
5. Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18–22 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.
6. Stir in frozen peas and carrots, then cook uncovered for 2–3 more minutes until vegetables are heated through and the mixture is creamy. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
7. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for weekly meal prep—make a big batch and enjoy leftovers for lunch or dinner. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to map out exactly when to prepare it, generate a consolidated shopping list, and seamlessly coordinate ingredients for all your other planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates ingredient totals across your recipes
– Organizes your grocery list by store section for quick shopping
– Minimizes duplicate purchases and forgotten items
– Helps you prep for the week with confidence and efficiency

Pro tip: When combining recipes for the week, schedule them together to avoid buying extra chicken or rice—CookifyAI totals everything up for you!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes