Easy One Pot Chicken And Rice Recipe That Kids Love

Weeknight dinners demand simplicity and deliciousness, and this one pot chicken and rice recipe delivers both effortlessly.

A comforting meal that combines tender chicken with perfectly seasoned rice, creating a harmonious blend of flavors in a single pan.

The magic happens when each ingredient melds together, releasing aromas that fill your kitchen with warmth.

Minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction make this dish a weeknight champion.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together with just a few basic ingredients.

The chicken emerges juicy and well-seasoned, while the rice absorbs all the rich, savory notes.

Prepare to savor a meal that promises to become a staple in your recipe collection.

Why You’ll Love One Pot Chicken & Rice

• Enjoy a hassle-free meal that comes together in a single pot, minimizing cleanup and making weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Toasting rice and using seasoned salt creates a rich, nutty depth that transforms ordinary chicken and rice into a memorable, satisfying dish.
• Perfect for picky eaters and busy households, this recipe offers a balanced meal with tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice that everyone will love.
• Uses affordable ingredients and requires minimal kitchen skills, making it an excellent option for home cooks looking to create delicious meals without breaking the bank.

What Goes into Chicken & Rice

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Tender meat that serves as the primary protein for the one-pot meal.

• Rice: Starchy base that absorbs flavors and provides a hearty foundation for the dish.

• Carrots: Sweet root vegetable that adds color and subtle sweetness to the recipe.
• Dried Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that provide depth and savory undertones to the overall flavor profile.

• Chicken Stock: Flavorful liquid that helps cook the rice and infuse the dish with rich chicken essence.
• Butter: Rich dairy product that adds creamy texture and enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Dried Parsley, Seasoned Salt, Black Pepper: Herbs and spices that contribute layered seasoning and enhance the meal's overall taste complexity.

Simple Steps to Cook Chicken & Rice

Step 1: Sauté The Carrots

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.

Add carrots and season with salt and pepper.

Cover the pot and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

The steam will help soften the carrots quickly.

Step 2: Toast The Rice

Once carrots are tender, add rice, dried onion, and garlic.

Stir thoroughly to coat the rice in butter and allow it to toast for about a minute.

This toasting process enhances the rice’s flavor, creating a deeper, nuttier taste.

Step 3: Pour In Stock And Simmer

Add chicken stock and dried parsley.

Stir the mixture and bring to a boil, mixing occasionally to prevent rice from sticking.

Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 15 minutes until rice begins to absorb the liquid.

Step 4: Cook The Chicken

Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Add chicken pieces to the pot and stir to combine.

Adjust heat if needed to maintain a gentle simmer.

Cook for 7-10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and rice reaches a tender consistency.

Step 5: Finish And Rest

Stir in additional butter to create a rich, creamy texture.

Let the pot rest for 5 minutes to allow the dish to thicken and flavors to meld together.

The resting period helps create a more cohesive and delicious meal.

Handy Tips for One-Pot Success

• Toast rice in butter to unlock a deeper, nuttier taste that transforms the entire dish's profile.
• Stir rice occasionally during cooking to ensure even heat distribution and avoid burning or clumping.
• Cover pot while cooking to trap steam, which helps carrots soften faster and keeps chicken juicy.
• Adjust seasoned salt and pepper quantities to match your personal spice preference without overwhelming the dish.
• Add butter at the end of cooking to create a silky, luxurious texture that elevates the overall meal experience.

How to Reheat Chicken & Rice Smoothly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken and rice are completely cool before sealing.
• Transfer cooled chicken and rice to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water or chicken broth to prevent dryness. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Pour chicken and rice into a skillet, add a splash of chicken broth or water. Cover and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. This method helps restore moisture and prevents the rice from becoming dry or sticky.

What to Serve with Chicken & Rice

• Elevate Flavor Companions: Crisp White Wine Pairing
• Uncork a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the buttery, savory chicken and rice. These light, refreshing wines cut through the richness while enhancing the dish's delicate seasoned notes.
• Zesty Side Salad Boost
• Toss a quick arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add bright, peppery freshness that contrasts the warm, comforting one-pot meal. Sprinkle some toasted almonds for extra crunch and nutty undertones that mirror the toasted rice.
• Herbal Green Vegetable Accent
• Roast quick green beans with garlic and thyme as a vibrant side dish. The herbaceous flavors will echo the dried parsley in the recipe while providing a crisp, green counterpoint to the hearty chicken and rice.
• Tangy Yogurt Sauce Drizzle
• Whip together Greek yogurt, chopped dill, and a splash of lemon juice to create a cool, tangy sauce. Drizzle over the dish to cut through the butter's richness and add a fresh, creamy layer of complexity.

Chicken & Rice Variations You Can Try

• Vegetarian Rice Skillet: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based protein chunks, using vegetable broth instead of chicken stock for a complete meatless meal.
• Gluten-Free One-Pot Wonder: Swap regular rice with quinoa or brown rice, ensuring all seasonings are certified gluten-free for sensitive individuals.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Incorporate oregano, thyme, and lemon zest instead of dried parsley, adding kalamata olives and feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Use cauliflower rice as a base, reducing overall carbohydrate content while maintaining the same delicious one-pot cooking method.

FAQs

• Why should I toast the rice before adding liquid?

Toasting rice in butter helps develop a deeper, nuttier flavor and creates a protective coating that prevents the grains from becoming mushy, resulting in a more textured and flavorful dish.

• Can I substitute chicken stock with water?

While you can use water, chicken stock provides much more depth of flavor and helps enhance the overall taste of the one-pot chicken and rice. If you don’t have chicken stock, consider using vegetable stock or bouillon cubes dissolved in water.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken piece – the meat should be white throughout with no pink areas.

• What type of rice works best for this recipe?

Long-grain white rice is ideal for this recipe because it maintains a nice texture and doesn’t become sticky. Basmati or jasmine rice can also work well and add their own subtle flavor profiles to the dish.

One Pot Chicken And Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delightful one pot chicken and rice delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, promising a hassle-free meal with rich, savory flavors. Hungry families will devour this classic dish that combines tender chicken, perfectly seasoned rice, and minimal cleanup in one satisfying skillet.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (~1 lb/454 g, cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 scant cups long grain white rice (Lundberg White Jasmine Rice recommended)
• 8 cups chicken stock

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 heaping cup shredded or chopped carrots
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

Fat and Seasoning:

• 4–6 tablespoons butter or vegan butter (divided)
• homemade seasoned salt and pepper (see notes)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat and introduce diced carrots. Sprinkle with seasoned salt, cover, and cook for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
2. Add uncooked rice, dried onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Stir thoroughly to coat ingredients in butter and allow rice to lightly toast for approximately one minute, developing a richer flavor profile.
3. Pour chicken stock and dried parsley into the pot. Increase heat to high, bringing mixture to a rolling boil while stirring intermittently to prevent rice from clumping. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Season chicken pieces with additional seasoned salt and pepper. Gently incorporate chicken into the rice mixture, adjusting heat if necessary to maintain a consistent simmer. Cook for 7-10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and rice reaches perfect tenderness.
5. Fold in remaining butter, creating a luxurious texture. Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken before serving.

Notes

• Customize salt blend by mixing herbs like thyme, rosemary, and paprika for deeper flavor complexity.
• Toast rice carefully to prevent burning, moving grains constantly for even golden-brown coating without scorching.
• Choose short-grain or medium-grain rice for more creamy, compact texture that absorbs liquid beautifully.
• Adjust chicken cooking time based on thickness; use meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg