Description
This One Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is a simple, comforting, and flavorful dish perfect for a quick family dinner. Tender chicken, aromatic spices, and nutritious vegetables come together in a single skillet, making cleanup easy and the cooking process straightforward. With juicy chicken thighs or breasts cooked alongside fluffy rice and vibrant peas and carrots, this dish delivers both heartiness and balance in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (or mixed vegetables)
Carbohydrates
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
Spices and Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned on all sides.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the onions are softened and fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Toast the Rice: Stir in the long-grain white rice and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the rice to toast slightly. This step adds a subtle nutty flavor and improves the texture.
- Add Broth and Vegetables: Pour in the chicken broth and add the frozen peas and carrots (or mixed vegetables). Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid and let it simmer gently for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pot from the heat but keep it covered. Let it sit for 5 minutes to finish steaming. Then, uncover and fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a fresh touch. Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful one pot chicken and rice meal.
Notes
- For added flavor, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the finished dish right before serving.
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken; just stir it in with the vegetables and reduce the simmer time slightly since the chicken is already cooked.
- Brown rice can be used as a substitute for white rice, but it requires a longer cooking time and more broth to cook properly.
