Effortless One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe That Wows Every Time

Hearty one pot chicken and rice elevates ordinary ingredients into a culinary symphony of comfort and flavor.

Home cooks appreciate this classic dish for its remarkable simplicity and minimal cleanup requirement.

Savory spices meld beautifully with tender protein and fluffy grains, creating a satisfying meal that speaks directly to hunger and nostalgia.

Busy families love how quickly this recipe comes together, turning weeknight cooking from stressful to delightful.

The magic happens when carefully selected seasonings penetrate each grain and protein morsel, elevating a basic combination into something truly memorable.

Nutritious and filling, this dish balances protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables in one convenient pan.

You’ll find yourself returning to this recipe again and again for its reliability and crowd-pleasing appeal.

Why One Pot Chicken and Rice Is a Weeknight Savior

• Savor One-Pot Simplicity: This recipe eliminates multiple dishes and complicated cooking steps, making dinner preparation a breeze with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
• Embrace Tender Comfort: The slow-simmered chicken and buttery rice create a velvety, hearty texture that feels like a warm hug, perfect for satisfying hunger and warming the soul.
• Customize with Ease: The recipe offers flexibility with butter quantity and seasoning, allowing home cooks to adjust flavors to their personal taste preferences without complex techniques.

Ingredients for One Pot Chicken and Rice

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Pieces: Lean protein that adds hearty flavor and makes the dish filling, best with boneless and skinless parts for easy cooking.

• Rice: Starchy base that absorbs flavors and creates a comforting texture, long-grain white rice works best for this recipe.

Supporting Ingredients:

• Butter, Dried Onion, Dried Garlic: Provide rich, deep flavor and enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Seasoned Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that add depth and balance to the chicken and rice.
• Dried Parsley: Adds a subtle herbal note and light green color to the dish.

• Chicken Stock: Essential liquid that cooks the rice and infuses the entire dish with savory chicken flavor, provides moisture and richness.

Cook One Pot Chicken and Rice Without the Fuss

Step 1: Prepare Veggie Base

• Seasoned salt
• Black pepper

Cover and cook until carrots become tender, about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Toast Rice and Aromatics

• Rice
• Dried onion
• Dried garlic

Stir to coat rice with butter and sauté for 1 minute. Sprinkle dried parsley and mix well.

Step 3: Create Liquid Foundation

Pour chicken stock into the pot and increase heat to high. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent rice from sticking.

Step 4: Simmer Rice

Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Cook Chicken

• Seasoned salt
• Black pepper

Add chicken to the pot, briefly increasing heat if needed to maintain simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until chicken is fully cooked and rice reaches al dente, about 7-10 minutes. Stir more frequently towards the end.

Step 6: Finish and Rest

Remove pot from heat. Stir in remaining butter to your preference. Cover pot and let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 7: Final Seasoning and Serving

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional seasoned salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm, noting the dish will naturally thicken as it cools.

Tips for Juicy Chicken and Fluffy Rice

• Choose the Right Rice: Select long-grain white rice for the best texture and even cooking, ensuring each grain remains separate and fluffy.
• Prevent Rice Sticking: Stir occasionally during cooking and use a heavy-bottomed pot to distribute heat evenly and avoid burning.
• Check Chicken Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein.
• Butter Finishing Touch: Add butter off the heat to create a rich, silky sauce that enhances the overall flavor and provides a luxurious finish.
• Let It Rest: Allow the dish to sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking to help rice absorb remaining liquid and chicken to redistribute juices.

Storing and Reheating One Pot Chicken and Rice

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, storing in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating Stovetop: Warm gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying and restore moisture.
• Microwave Method: Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain the rice's tender texture.

Pairing Favorites for Chicken and Rice Dinners

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio perfectly complements the rich, buttery chicken and rice, cutting through the dish's richness with its bright, refreshing acidity.
• Serve with Herb-Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus or green beans seasoned with fresh herbs will add a vibrant, light contrast to the hearty one-pot meal, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Match with Fresh Garden Salad: A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a crisp, tangy counterpoint to the creamy, savory chicken and rice, balancing the flavors and adding nutritional variety.
• Enhance with Crusty Bread: Warm, rustic bread helps soak up the delicious buttery sauce, offering a delightful textural element and making the meal feel more complete and satisfying.

Creative Twists for Chicken and Rice One-Pot Meals

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace dried herbs with fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile. Swap chicken stock with white wine for deeper complexity.
• Spicy Southwest Version: Add diced green chiles, cumin, and smoked paprika to introduce bold southwestern heat. Substitute some chicken stock with mild salsa for extra zesty undertones.
• Creamy Mushroom Enhancement: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms before adding rice. Stir in cream cheese or heavy cream at the end for a rich, velvety texture that elevates the entire dish.
• Asian-Inspired Rendition: Mix in ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil during cooking. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an authentic east Asian touch.

One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty one pot chicken and rice delivers comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen. Savory chicken nestles perfectly with fluffy rice, creating a simple meal that satisfies hunger and warms souls in just one delightful pan.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 small chicken breasts (14 ounces/397 grams), cut into bite-sized pieces

Main Vegetables and Grains:

• 1 heaping cup shredded or chopped carrots (from 1 cup baby carrots or 2 large carrots)
• 2 scant cups long grain white rice (e.g., Lundberg White Jasmine Rice)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 4 – 6 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 8 cups chicken stock
• Homemade seasoned salt and pepper (to taste)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious soup pot over medium heat and melt butter, allowing it to coat the base evenly.
2. Introduce diced carrots into the melted butter, seasoning generously with seasoned salt and pepper. Cover and allow vegetables to soften and become tender, stirring intermittently for about 5-6 minutes.
3. Incorporate rice, dried onion, and dried garlic into the vegetable mixture, gently stirring to ensure each grain is coated with butter. Sauté briefly for one minute, then sprinkle dried parsley throughout.
4. Pour chicken stock into the pot, raising heat to high and bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil. Stir periodically to prevent rice from adhering to the pot’s bottom.
5. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer, creating a gentle bubbling environment. Stir occasionally to maintain even cooking.
6. Season chicken pieces with seasoned salt and pepper, then carefully nestle them into the simmering rice mixture. Temporarily increase heat if needed to restore simmering temperature.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until chicken is thoroughly cooked and rice reaches a perfect al dente texture, stirring more frequently as cooking progresses.
8. Remove pot from heat source and fold in remaining butter, creating a luxurious, glossy finish. Cover and let the dish rest, allowing flavors to meld and settle.
9. Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings as desired. Serve immediately, noting the dish will naturally thicken as it cools.

Notes

• Prep all ingredients before starting to ensure smooth cooking flow and prevent burning or overcooking.
• Use a large soup pot with a tight-fitting lid to help rice cook evenly and retain moisture.
• Stir rice occasionally to prevent sticking and achieve uniform cooking throughout the dish.
• Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe and fully cooked meat.
• Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and rice to absorb remaining liquid.
• Adjust butter and seasoning at the end to personalize taste and enhance overall flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg