Name: One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3-4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; Salt, to taste; Ground black pepper, to taste; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 2 carrots, peeled and shredded; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 1 Tablespoon minced garlic; 2 cups chicken broth; 1½ cups jasmine rice, rinsed; ½ cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese; ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley

This One Pot Chicken and Rice is the ultimate comfort food that combines tender chunks of chicken, aromatic vegetables, and fluffy rice all cooked in one pot. Perfect for busy weeknights, this hearty meal delivers incredible flavor with minimal cleanup!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

True One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pot, meaning fewer dishes and less cleanup time when you’re already exhausted from a long day.
Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters love this dish! The familiar flavors and comforting texture make it a hit with kids and adults alike.
Budget-Friendly: Using simple ingredients like chicken thighs, rice, and vegetables creates a filling meal without breaking the bank.
Versatile: Easy to customize with whatever vegetables you have on hand or based on your family’s preferences.
Leftovers Are Amazing: This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Olive Oil: The foundation for sautéing your ingredients, adding a subtle fruity note to the dish.
Chicken Thighs: These are my preference for their incredible flavor and juiciness, but chicken breasts work wonderfully too if that’s what you have on hand.
Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet aromatic base that flavors the entire dish.
Carrots: Add natural sweetness and beautiful color to your one-pot meal.
Celery: Brings a mild, earthy flavor and pleasant crunch to balance the softer textures.
Garlic: Don’t skimp here! Garlic adds depth and warmth that’s essential to the dish.
Chicken Broth: The cooking liquid for your rice that infuses everything with savory chicken flavor.
Jasmine Rice: Its fragrant quality and ability to stay fluffy makes jasmine rice perfect for this dish. Don’t forget to rinse it first to remove excess starch!
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish that brings everything together.
Fresh Parsley: Brightens the dish with color and fresh flavor, cutting through the richness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious variations to try:

Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: Use shredded rotisserie chicken added at the end for an even quicker meal.
Mediterranean Twist: Add diced bell peppers, a can of diced tomatoes, and finish with feta cheese instead of Parmesan.
Lemon Herb Version: Add lemon zest and juice before serving, and mix in fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary during cooking.
Vegetable Boost: Toss in mushrooms, peas, corn, or spinach for extra nutrition and color.
Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño when sautéing the vegetables.

How to Make One Pot Chicken and Rice

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a 3-quart stockpot over medium-high heat. Add your chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through with no pink remaining.

Step 2: Add Aromatics

Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté for about 3 minutes until it begins to soften. Then stir in the shredded carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic, sautéing for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Cook the Rice

Increase the heat to high and pour in the chicken broth and rinsed rice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Give everything a good stir, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Once the rice is tender and has absorbed the broth, stir in the Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top if desired.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Skip Rinsing the Rice: This removes excess starch and helps prevent the rice from becoming gummy.
Keep an Eye on Liquid Levels: Different rice varieties may need slightly more or less liquid. If your rice isn’t quite done and the liquid is absorbed, add a splash more broth.
Let it Rest: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after cooking with the lid on. This helps the rice fluff up and flavors to distribute evenly.
Toast the Rice: For extra flavor, try toasting the rice for a minute in the pot before adding the broth.
Use Chicken Thighs: While breasts work fine, thighs provide more flavor and stay juicier in the finished dish.

How to Serve

This One Pot Chicken and Rice is a complete meal on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to elevate your dinner:

Simple Sides:

Serve with a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some steamed broccoli for added vegetables.

Bread Accompaniment:

A slice of crusty bread or garlic bread makes the perfect companion for soaking up any remaining sauce.

Topping Ideas:

Offer a variety of toppings like extra fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon, a dollop of sour cream, or hot sauce for everyone to customize their own bowl.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often improve overnight, making this a fantastic meal prep option.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully! Portion cooled leftovers into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to restore moisture, or microwave individual portions until heated through. Stir halfway through reheating to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of jasmine rice?

Yes, you absolutely can use brown rice, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and liquid. Brown rice typically requires about 45 minutes to cook and needs approximately 2½ cups of broth for the same amount of rice. The texture will be slightly chewier but equally delicious.

My rice turned out mushy. What went wrong?

This usually happens when there’s too much liquid or the rice is overcooked. Make sure you’re using the correct rice-to-liquid ratio and don’t extend the cooking time beyond what’s needed. Also, remember that different rice varieties absorb different amounts of liquid, so you might need to adjust accordingly.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Definitely! Simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You might want to add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini for additional texture and protein. You could also add a can of rinsed beans for protein.

How do I know when the dish is completely done?

The rice should be tender but not mushy, and most of the liquid should be absorbed. If you’re unsure, taste a grain of rice – it should be soft with no hard center. The chicken should be fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

This One Pot Chicken and Rice is truly a game-changer for busy weeknights when you need something satisfying and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vegetables creates a comforting meal that’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Give it a try tonight – I promise your family will be asking for seconds!

One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe