Simple Chicken Rice Skillet Dinner

Introduction

Few meals bring the same comfort and satisfaction as a one-pan dinner, and this Simple Chicken Rice Skillet Dinner is a standout. Bursting with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and crisp vegetables—all packed into one skillet—this recipe is a weeknight game-changer. With minimal prep, straightforward steps, and minimal cleanup, it’s perfect for busy schedules while never compromising on flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Rice Skillet

This dish is a true crowd-pleaser thanks to its delicious balance of protein, carbs, and veggies—all finished in a single skillet. The magic lies in letting the flavors meld together as the rice cooks with the chicken, soaking up every drop of savory goodness. It’s approachable, hearty, and endlessly customizable, making it ideal for family dinners or casual entertaining.

Optimizing Ingredients for Maximum Flavor and Convenience

For the freshest, most even-chopped vegetables, take advantage of a tool like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper. This ensures uniform pieces that cook perfectly in your skillet. You can easily switch up vegetables—think bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini—for seasonal variety, and choose between boneless chicken thighs or breasts, depending on your preference.

The rice absorbs the flavors of juicy chicken, sautéed aromatics, and any spices you add. For best results, use long-grain white rice since it cooks perfectly tender and doesn’t go mushy.

Perfecting Chicken and Rice in One Pan

Selecting the right pan makes a difference; a heavy-duty skillet, such as the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch, ensures even cooking and easy cleanup. Start by searing your chicken pieces to golden perfection, then sauté your vegetables before adding rice, broth, and seasonings. Let everything simmer gently, infusing each grain of rice with savory chicken flavor.

To ensure chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat, use the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking to check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.

Smart Serving and Storage Solutions

For busy households, leftovers are a gift—transfer any extras to Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for a quick and delicious lunch the next day. If you want to portion out a salad side, the Bentgo Salad Container makes it easy to keep greens fresh and crisp.

This skillet meal pairs beautifully with a fresh garden salad and a squeeze of lemon, and can easily be dressed up with a generous sprinkle of chopped herbs.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves four hearty portions. Each serving, based on skinless chicken breast and standard vegetables, contains roughly 420 calories and 30g of protein, making it a balanced and satisfying meal for any day of the week.

Simple Chicken Rice Skillet Dinner (Recap)

This one-skillet recipe delivers restaurant-worthy comfort with a fraction of the effort and cleanup. Flavorful, comforting, and endlessly adaptable, it gives you everything you want from a home-cooked meal—quickly and deliciously.

Instructions

1. Heat the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When hot, add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and paprika, and brown for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer chicken to a plate.
2. Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Sauté onion and bell pepper (use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for uniform dices) for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Stir in rice and toast for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, peas, and thyme or Italian seasoning.
4. Return chicken to the skillet along with any juices. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 16–18 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
5. Fluff with a fork and check chicken for doneness with a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking—it should read at least 165°F.
6. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges before serving. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy reheating.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

This dish delivers bold flavors and wholesome nutrition with minimal fuss—the ideal answer to what’s for dinner tonight!