If you’re looking for a comforting meal that brings together simplicity and deliciousness, then “One Pot Chicken and Rice” is your answer. This hearty dish will warm your soul with tender chicken, flavorful rice, and aromatic vegetables, all cooked to perfection in a single pot. It’s a family favorite around our dinner table and I’m thrilled to share this delightful recipe with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All-in-One Convenience: No need to juggle multiple pots and pans, everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup a breeze!
- Flavor Explosion: With tender chicken and rice soaking up the savory goodness of the veggies and broth, every bite is a delight.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt it to your tastes or dietary needs—swap veggies, adjust spices, or throw in extras like bell peppers and mushrooms.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of “One Pot Chicken and Rice” lies in its simplicity and the way each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the dish’s hearty flavors. Here’s what you need:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps to sauté the chicken and vegetables perfectly.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Provides a tender base; thighs offer more flavor, while breasts are leaner.
- Salt and Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the natural flavors.
- Yellow Onion: The aromatic foundation that gives depth to your dish.
- Carrots and Celery: Add sweetness and crunch, painting a vibrant picture in your pot.
- Minced Garlic: Infuses the dish with a warm, aromatic kick.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid gold that cooks the rice and enriches it with a savory taste.
- Jasmine Rice: Known for its fragrance, jasmine rice cooks up fluffy and absorbs all the delicious flavors.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a creamy, cheesy finish that ties everything together!
- Fresh Parsley: Brightens up the dish with a pop of green and fresh flavor.
Variations
This “One Pot Chicken and Rice” is incredibly adaptable, making it easy to suit a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. Feel free to mix and match based on what you have on hand!
- Use Cooked Chicken: Swap fresh chicken with cooked leftovers to save time. Simply add them after cooking the veggies.
- Garlic Infusion: For an intense garlic flavor, add whole cloves during cooking and remove them before serving.
- Extra Veggies: Enhance the nutritional value by adding bell peppers, mushrooms, or even peas.
How to Make One Pot Chicken and Rice
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
In a 3-quart stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
Add the diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes. Then stir in the carrots, celery, and minced garlic, and cook for another minute until they release their aromas.
Step 3: Cook the Rice
Turn the heat up to high and pour in the chicken broth along with the rinsed jasmine rice. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed the broth.
Step 4: Final Touches
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and parsley to add a creamy and fresh finish. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary, then serve it hot and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Rice Rinsing: Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separate grains.
- Even Cooking: Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly alongside the chicken and rice.
- Layer Flavors: Season each layer as you build the dish for a more dimensional flavor profile.
- Herbacious Finish: Add fresh parsley at the end to maintain its vibrant color and fresh taste.
How to Serve One Pot Chicken and Rice
Garnishes
Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese or a dash of crushed red pepper for an added kick. You can also scatter chopped herbs like basil or chives for a pop of color and flavor.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs well with a crisp garden salad or steamed green beans, adding freshness and balance to your meal. A loaf of crusty bread on the side is also perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve “One Pot Chicken and Rice” family-style in a large serving dish or portion it into individual bowls for a more rustic, cozy dining experience. Garnish each plate with fresh herbs for an elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This allows the flavors to meld even further, making for a delicious next-day meal.
Freezing
To freeze, let the dish cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep well for up to 2 months. Just be sure to leave some room at the top, as it will expand when frozen.
Reheating
Reheat your “One Pot Chicken and Rice” on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions until heated through.
FAQs
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Can I use brown rice instead of jasmine rice?
Yes, but note that brown rice takes longer to cook and may require additional broth. You might need to extend the cooking time and keep an eye on the liquid level.
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What can I substitute for Parmesan cheese?
You can substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano for a similar cheesy kick. If you prefer a dairy-free option, nutritional yeast is a great alternative.
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How do I prevent the rice from sticking?
Ensure to stir the pot occasionally during cooking to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. Additionally, making sure the pot is well-heated before adding ingredients can help.
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Is it possible to make this dish spicier?
Absolutely! Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or sliced jalapeños while cooking for a spicy twist. Adjust the amount to taste depending on your heat preference.
Final Thoughts
I hope this “One Pot Chicken and Rice” recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen as it has in mine. It’s wonderfully effortless and packed with flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends. Enjoy every comforting bite!
Print
One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A flavorful and hearty one-pot chicken and rice dish that’s quick to prepare and perfect for a comforting family meal. Combining tender chicken, aromatic vegetables, and perfectly cooked jasmine rice, this recipe offers a satisfying meal with minimal clean-up.
Ingredients
Proteins
- 3-4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and shredded
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
Liquid and Grains
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed
Dairy and Herbs
- 1/2 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a 3-quart stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper (about 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper), and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through.
- Sauté vegetables: Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent. Then stir in shredded carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 1 minute.
- Add liquids and rice: Increase heat to high, pour in chicken broth, and add rinsed jasmine rice. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, stir to combine, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish and serve: Stir in Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed before serving hot.
Notes
- Variations: Use cooked chicken by skipping the initial step and adding it after sautéing the vegetables.
- For a garlicky flavor, add 3 additional garlic cloves during sautéing and remove before serving.
- Additional vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms can be added during the sautéing step for more variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
