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This One Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is THAT dish for my kids – that healthy dish I make for my kids that I know they’ll eat up quickly without complaining. I switch up the vegetables depending on what I have on hand, but it’s always a cozy, complete meal that I know will leave my whole family content! Plus, as the name implies, this one pot chicken and rice comes together quickly and easily, in one pot, and is the perfect family weeknight meal.
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a glance
- Ingredients for chicken and rice
- Popular substitutions & additions
- RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL
- How to make one pot chicken and rice
- Tips to make the best one pot chicken and rice
- How to store & reheat chicken and rice
- Frequently asked questions
- For more rice and grain dishes:
- One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
I’m a big fan of one-pot wonders, like this chicken and rice dish, especially on those busy weeknights when the last thing you want to do is tackle a mountain of dishes. The blend of juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and colorful veggies (all seasoned to perfection), makes every bite taste like you actually spent hours next to the stove. This one pot chicken and rice is so good that I usually make a double batch because the leftovers are just as amazing the next day – sometimes even better!
Easy, quick, and delicious! My carrots went bad, so I used broccoli, and I only had frozen peas…SO GOOD! Also, I didn’t have any fresh onions or garlic, so used granulated onions and garlic…amazing….ALSO, didn’t have chicken broth so used bone broth, seriously a delicious and nutritions dish that family will love. Thank you for creating this recipe! – C
Recipe at a glance
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
Dietary Info: Gluten-Free (if gluten-free broth is used), Meat-Based
Key Flavor: Savory
Skill Level: Easy
Summary
- Quick To Make: In just 30 minutes, you’ll be dishing out plates of this comforting meal. It’s a lifesaver on hectic weeknights!
- Cozy Flavors: The blend of tender chicken breast, aromatic garlic, and earthy oregano creates a cozy, homey taste that’s truly irresistible.
- One-Pot-Wonder: Say goodbye to piles of dishes! This recipe’s magic lies in its simplicity – everything cooks together in one pot, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze.
- Great For Meal Prep: Leftovers from this dish are a meal-prepper’s dream. The savory flavors meld and deepen overnight, giving you a ready-to-reheat dinner or lunch for the next day that tastes even better.
- Kid-Friendly: Watch your little ones gobble up their dinner without a fuss! This one pot chicken and rice is gently flavored and packed with familiar, non-spicy ingredients, making it a hit with the kiddos.
Ingredients for chicken and rice
- Onion and garlic: Cook until they are browned for a nice base layer of flavor.
- Chicken: Use chicken breast that is cut into cubes. You can also make this recipe with thighs if you prefer.
- Seasonings: Oregano, salt and pepper.
- Rice: We find that long-grain white rice for this recipe. You can use brown or wild rice, but the cooking times will vary.
- Vegetables: Carrots, frozen corn, and frozen peas.
- Broth: You can use chicken or vegetable stock.
- Parmesan cheese: This is optional, but it’s a great add in! Use freshly grated rather than pre grated for the best flavor.
Popular substitutions & additions
- Add Extra Veggies: Boost the nutrition and color of this one pot meal by tossing in extra vegetables. Think bell peppers for a sweet crunch, zucchini for a bit of green, or even some spinach for an iron-rich addition. The more, the better!
- Swap The Herbs: Change up the flavor profile by experimenting with different herbs. Thyme or rosemary can give a more earthy taste, while a sprinkle of basil could add a fresh, slightly sweet twist.
- Try a Different Protein: If you’re not in the mood for chicken, this dish is just as tasty with other proteins like turkey, shrimp, or even tofu for a plant-based option.
- Mix Up The Grains: Not a fan of white rice? This one pot meal with chicken can be just as delicious with brown rice, quinoa, or even couscous. Just keep in mind the cooking times and liquid ratios, as they can vary with different grains.
RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL
How to make one pot chicken and rice
- Cook the onions with olive oil until they’re soft and lightly browned.
- Add the cubed chicken, salt, pepper, and oregano. You can add in other seasonings you’d like here.
- Fully cook the chicken until the juices run dry.
- Add any vegetables you’re using and rice. I love using colorful vegetables like carrots, peas and corn.
- Add chicken broth or water and bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
- Allow the one pot chicken and rice to rest for 5-10 minutes before opening it so the steam continues to cook the rice. Then fluff it with a fork and serve to your hungry family!
Then you can serve the dish as is, or with a side salad. It has a pretty simple versatile flavor so it goes well with many salads. We love pairing it with my fattoush recipe or my chopped salad recipe.
This recipe was so easy and SO GOOD! My entire family loved it and even asked for seconds. Thanks for another tasty and easy recipe! – Nergis
Tips to make the best one pot chicken and rice
- Swap out the veggies as you like . You can use frozen, fresh, or canned vegetables in this dish based on your preference and what’s available in your fridge. Keep it fuss-free!
- Use good quality rice. I prefer to use long grain white rice or white basmati rice so that it doesn’t clump up. Avoid using minute or instant rice because it will likely yield a mushy consistency.
- Use onion powder instead of onions if you have picky eaters. I know some kids hate seeing onions in their food, so you can definitely swap it for the powder if that’s the case. But try first chopping them finely to see if they’ll even notice them in the pot among the chicken and rice.
- Cut the vegetables and chicken into bite sized pieces. Not only is that better for kids, but it’s great to get a bite that has a little bit of veggies, rice and chicken all at together!
- Use water instead of chicken broth if necessary. In that case, make sure you season the water heavily. And you can also consider increasing the quantity of the aromatics like garlic, celery and the herbs. They will really help build up the flavor lost by not using chicken broth.
How to store & reheat chicken and rice
To store this one pot chicken and rice, let it cool down to room temperature first. Then, transfer it into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator.
To reheat, just scoop out the portion you need into a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel, and microwave it on high for a couple of minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. You can also reheat it in a pot over the stove on medium heat.
How long will chicken and rice last in the fridge? In the fridge, your one pot meal will stay good for about 3 to 4 days.
Can you freeze chicken and rice? Yes, you can freeze it. Put it in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, label it with the date, and it’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, and reheat it using any of the methods above once you want to enjoy it again.
Frequently asked questions
A one pot meal is a complete meal made in one pan. They require little prep and very little clean up, so they are a great option when you are on short on time and hate washing up! Be sure to check out my One-Pot Ravioli Soup for another easy family meal!
If you want to make it with brown rice, be sure to add ½ a cup of liquid and cook it for an additional 20-25 minutes, according to package instructions.
This one pot meal is a great healthy meal for the whole family. It contains protein, carbs and a good helping of vegetables and it is low in fat and sugar. It’s an easy way to serve a healthy meal to your family with very little effort.
My One Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is a well balanced meal that includes protein, vegetables and carbs with simple flavors for little palettes and it’s all made in one pot for easy cooking and even easier clean-up! I always make 2 cup of this recipe because the leftovers are lifesavers. It’s a working parents’ dream meal that the whole family will love!
For more rice and grain dishes:
If you’ve tried this healthy-ish feelgood One Pot Chicken and Rice recipe or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!
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One Pot Chicken and Rice
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 ½ pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper
- 2 cups long-grain white rice rinsed
- 2 large carrots cut into small cubes
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese optional
- Fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- In a large pot of medium heat, heat the olive oil. Cook the onions until soft and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds additional.
- Add the cubed chicken, and season with oregano, salt and pepper to taste and cook until the chicken is cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the rice and cook with the chicken to lightly toast, about 1-2 minutes. Add the vegetables you're using (carrots, corn and peas), season with salt and pepper, then pour the chicken broth on top.
- Mix all the ingredients together, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 15 minutes, until rice is fully cooked. Remove from heat and allow the steam to continue cooking the rice for 5-10 more minutes.
- Fluff the rice, stir in the parmesan cheese, if using, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
I have loved the idea of simple, one/pot meals ever since I acquired my Insta pot.
I pre-ordered your book and am looking forward to moving through the recipes.
Aww thanks so much!
Really loved this! I added some chopped celery for more veggies, and a couple chopped serranos for some heat. Turned out so delicious!!
Yay, glad you enjoyed it, Tom!!
Hi! I was wondering if I can use basmati or jasmine rice in this recipe? Thank you!
Yes! Whichever you prefer.
Easy, quick, and delicious! My carrots went bad, so I used broccoli, and I only had frozen peas…SO GOOD! Also, I didn’t have any fresh onions or garlic, so used granulated onions and garlic…amazing….ALSO, didn’t have chicken broth so used bone broth, seriously a delicious and nutritions dish that family will love. Thank you for creating this recipe!
Thank you so much for making it!!
It says caloric count for a serving but doesn’t state the serving size?
Hi Sarah, a serving size is around 3/4 – 1 cup. I hope you enjoy!
I see that I can increase the servings but didn’t see how may servings the original recipe if for.
Hi there! This recipe as written serves 8.
I made this exactly as the recipe says. Was delicious and my family ate it up. Thank you so much.
You’re so welcome!
The rice turned out gooyie. Not enough liquid to cook the rice properly although seasoned Well. Using frozen veggies didn’t allow for the rice to brown and not enough liquid to cook the rice properly
So sorry you had trouble with the recipe. What type of rice did you use?
I made this EXACTLY per the menu. It didn’t taste bad. It didn’t taste good. It just didn’t taste.
So sorry to hear that, Patrick. You can of course adjust the seasoning to taste.
I tried the recipe and thought it was really good. I used basmati white rice, frozen peas & carrots and frozen cut grean beans. I added 3 cups of liquid and then added another 1/4 cup because it seemed like it would be dry. It turned out really good, but I think next time I will reduce the amount of rice a bit and maybe add more vegetables (just personal preference). Thank you!
So glad you liked it, Ian! I love the idea of adding more veggies, you really can’t go wrong there!
I am trying this recipe right now, just waiting for my last 15 minutes of cooking. I can’t wait to tell you what my family thinks of it.
What did they think?
Hi I’m just wondering how long does this last in the fridge once cooked or could you freeze it? Thank you
Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last up to 4 days and can be reheated on the stovetop!
What other seasonings would you suggest?
Hi Cindee, you can use any seasoning you’d like. Do you have a specific one you want to replace?
Hi! Gudmorning.,
Im trying ur recipe right now..i hope my son will like it..im using rice cooker and im using basmati rice also.,thank u for ur recipe.,
I hope you both enjoy! You’re so welcome. Let me know how it turns out!
Can I use chicken stock instead of chicken broth
Yes!
Great Recipe. Can I add pesto sauce to this dish?
Thank you! For sure!
Hi salaams thank you for your lovely and easy recipes Yumna much appreciated.I would like to make the one pot chicken rice recipe but I don’t have chicken broth, what can I substitute it with..thank you,dear.💝
You’re so welcome! You can use vegetable broth or water too.
Hi! This recipe looks great and I’m making it for dinner tomorrow. Just so I can figure out some nutritional information I was wondering how many cups in a serving? Thanks so much!
Thank you! A serving is an eighth of the recipe, so I recommend making the recipe and dividing the total by eight.
How would this work on a pressure cooker? Looking forward to making this.
I haven’t tried this in a pressure cooker yet, but I think it could work!
Hello! Love your recipes!
The recipe call for 2 cups rice per 3 cups broth, but basmati rice calls for 1 to 2 ratio.
I followed this exactly and left 15min to steam at the end but some of the rice was still left uncooked.
Any advice?
Thanks so much!
Thank you! I would cook it on a lower heat for a longer time!
This recipe was so easy and SO GOOD! My entire family loved it and even asked for seconds. Thanks for another tasty and easy recipe!
Thank you!! I love that. You’re so welcome!
Should the rice be precooked for this? I’ve tried this recipe twice and my rice is never fully cooked at the end.
Nope, I did not use pre-cooked rice for this. We find that long grain white rice for this recipe. If you used brown or wild rice, the cooking times will vary!
Wonderful recipe, may I say so much better and healthier than Grandma’s chicken and vegetable rice bake by Stouffer’s (approved by my son)
Thank you! Glad you both enjoyed it!
You guys are the best ever 💞💯
Aww, thank you!
This looks really good! I have a dumb question. I saw it says 339 calories. Is that per serving?
Thank you! Yes, the 339 calories is per serving.
Do you need to double the cooking time if you double the recipe? I have had bad experiences cooking rice on the stovetop before (it took FOREVER to cook!). So I want to be prepared. But I am cooking for a crowd, so need to double the recipe. Thanks!
The time wouldn’t be doubled, but it’ll definitely take an extra 5-15 minutes to cook.
Delicious and filling. Whole family loves it. Thanks for another great recipe.
Followed the recipe exactly. Very dry. No flavour. Chicken tasted liked it needed more Time cooking.
I’m so sorry to hear that was your experience with this recipe. Could you please walk me through what you did, so I can help pin point what went wrong?
What would you do to “Mediterranean” this? Turmeric and some coriander? What veggies? Pepper and tomato?
Hmmm, love those veggies! Maybe some 7 Spice?
Delicious, easy and tasty. We love it!
Yay! Thank you so much!
Hi! This was a hit. Thank you. Only thing is cooking time was longer than expected. I don’t cook chicken much and the cubes took much longer than 5-7 minutes. Thanks for saying to wait until the juices are gone. That helped me out!
Thank you! The time will definitely vary by the burner, so I’m glad that helped!
Can I put all the ingredients after adding rice into a crockpot to finish cooking
I’m sure that would work, but I haven’t tried it yet, so you’d have to experiment with the timing.
Absolutely love this recipe. Smelled so good cooking, was hard to wait.
I felt the same way while it was cooking! Thank you!!
ABSOLUTELY EASY AND DELICIOUS
Aww, thank you so much!
Hello an THANK YOU. We love all your recipes!
So is it ok to make this recipe, but with frozen veggies of corn, carrots and pea’s?
Awww, thank you so much! Yes, you can use frozen, fresh, or canned vegetables in this dish based on your preference and what’s available in your fridge. Keep it fuss-free!
Hi, I had to leave a comment, I am loving reading your recipes! I have been looking for ideas for meals for my toddler and I will be making a lot of your recipes. Thank you soo soo much for all your hard work and for all this information! Much love!
Thank you so much, Asra!! That makes me so incredibly happy to hear!
Hey lovely! I was wondering what the recommended serving size is per person? I’m on calorie deficit and just want to make sure I stick to the right serving size! Currently cooking it and I could easily eat the whole dish myself it smells so good!
Great question! When it comes to rice, I like to serve a cup in volume of rice, endless vegetables and about a fistful of protein. So you can eyeball it based on how much protein and veggies you put. I hope that helps you!
Excellent I love this, Thank’s..!
So glad to hear it! Thank you!
Thanks!!! Easy and delish. I only had brown rice so needed to double the cooing time but it Tastes delish… and I managed to clean my whole kitchen while in between steps 👌
Yay that’s awesome! And I’m glad you made it with the brown rice and it worked well!
Hi Yumna, just wanted to say a big thank you for another great recipe! Made it this week and it was wonderful! I did add some paprika and cumin to the chicken and then later a tiny bit more after adding the rice and veggies. This will definitely be a regular recipe in the rotation now.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you!!
This was delicious! Even the picky members of my family liked this. Thanks for the great recipe,will make it again!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it and that even the picky eaters liked it!
Made this for lunch today. I used carrots, peas, & mushrooms. It turned out really delicious. Great new recipe to make my son eat his veggies 😜
Yay, that’s the best when the kids eat up the veggies and love it! Thank you!
So simple! We have no kids in the household, but we are two busy adults always looking for no-mess healthy dinners. This one is a winner! It takes us almost no effort to make, and for two there’s enough leftovers to get you through a few dinners.
This recipe is also a great canvas for your creativity. I make the recipe as is (might use some different vegetables depending on what I have on hand) and have topped it with a variety of items depending on my mood. I’ve added hummus, buffalo sauce, fresh avocado and salsa, and soy sauce and all have worked nicely.
Oh I love all the fun ways you’ve served this dish. It’s one of our go-tos! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!!
So, I was searching for a recipies for just myself *as it is just myself and my dog.
I have a google mini, and asked “hey google. Tell me a good one person recipies, with chicken.” It agreed and started telling me about this recipe I was like so cool, I have it all (which is rare. Ha ha) so I’m not a big rice fan, unless. I’m making it for at least one other person. So I am also anew Tupperware consultant. I have, from my host box, a set of 3 stackable steamer set for the microwave. As I was running water to get hot, in my sink .. I added onion powder. Garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper on the bottom. Also added 2 chicken bullion cubes. Added the water about half way. Put it in the microwave for 2 min. Added 2 FROZEN chicken breasts, microwaved it in the seasoning water mix – for another 2 min. Meanwhile in a frying pan, I’m sauteing mushrooms and 1 can if mix veggies, with 1t. Of margarine and garlic powder. When the 2 min is up,I took out the chicken and cut it quarters. Placed it back in the water and cooked it for another 2.5 min. Still sauteing my veggies. When the 1.5 min was up, I scooped up the chicken a drainer spoon and placed it in my frying pan. Waited until it was browned and added mushroom soup with the juice from the chicken. I added parmesan and Romano cheese w 1T of garlic.
It tastes so good!!
Yay, I’m glad Google told you about this recipe and you tried it! I love that you added the mushroom soup and cheese to it…yum!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRECISE INSTRUCTIONS AND YOUR INSIGHT!
I’m of Latin descent and I have never been able to cook rice perfectly to save my life. It was a bit of a downer, given my heritage – but your easy step by step guide helped me make my first perfect rice in 20 years!
Thank you again!
Oh wow!! That’s the best feedback ever!! Thank you so much 🙂
I love this recipe and my kids, who can be picky eaters, eat it every time without complaining. I cook the chicken in the crock pot so I have cooked chicken ready to go when I stay making the dish. Frozen veggies help make this even faster to prepare. We just had it again last night. So good!
Thank yo so much Kayrl! I appreciate that!!
I used brown rice could that be the problem?
Oh yes, 100%. With brown rice, you’ll need to cook it 45 minutes or up to one hour depending on the exact one you have.
i cant get my rice to cook what should i do? can you help me?
Make sure to put enough water, leave it covered for 15 minutes. Then let is steam covered for 5 additional minutes.
Can I use frozen mixed veggies and when should I add them?
Yup you can! Add them when the vegetables go in 🙂
My 3 year old and 1 year old devoured this! I even added some turmeric when I cooked the chicken per someone else’s comment. Delicious, easy, kid friendly. Thank you Yumna! We’ll be adding this to the rotation… for the next 18 years.
For the next 18 years…haha love it!! Thank you!!
It’s delicious ! Made if for my 10 month old baby ! I regret not making more for ourselves !! I added turmeric and saffron for a little bit more flavour since she can’t have salt and pepper.
That sounds so good with turmeric! Thank you for sharing!!
So quick and yummy! I love a one pot recipe and this is now at the top of my list! I couldn’t find basmati rice so I had to use long grain white rice and added some extra carrots. I also think broccoli would be worth a try too. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Yay, I’m so glad to hear that, and these one-pot meals are lifesavers these days. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
Hi, not sure if I am reading this incorrectly, but I notice on one part of the recipe you mentioned adding boiling water and on a different part you mentioned adding broth. Which one is it?
Oh sorry about that, that’s because I make this all the time an if I don’t have chicken broth, I just use water. You can use either one. Chicken broth will make it more flavorful but it’s not necessary 🙂
Im going to try this tonight and it will also be my first time uaing a dutch oven since i saw you said water can sub out chicken broth what can i do to make up for the flavor?
That sounds great! In that case, make sure you season the water heavily. If you have celery salt, it will be great instead of salt. And you can also consider increasing the quantity of the aromatics like garlic, celery and the herbs. They will really help build up the flavor.
Tried it yesterday and it was aaaamazing!! Great recipe, kids loved it!! Thanks!
Do you think quinoa would work with this instead of rice?
Absolutely!
Made this tonight. I didn’t follow the recipe to a T but as close as I could with what I had on hand. I used some frozen fajita chicken I’ve had in the freezer and have been wanting to get used. I didn’t have any fresh vegetables so used two cans of mixed veggies and added a little extra corn.Only rice I had was some Minute brown rice and only used about 2 1/4 cups of chicken broth. I even put a bit of poultry seasoning and Tony Chachere’s in it. Was a little spicy, but good. All in all I thought it turned out good. My kids even ate it. Plus super easy clean up! Thanks for the quick easy meal. Especially for someone on a budget trying to use what I have in my pantry.
Hi Stephanie – I love that you made it work with what you had on hand…that’s the beauty of the recipe and I’m glad you and the kids enjoyed it. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Delicious! Didn’t have basmati rice but jasmine rice tasted great. Will definitely make again!
So glad to hear that you loved the recipe! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Can this be done in a rice cooker? After the cooking of garlic, onion, can I put the raw chicken, other veggies, rice and liquid into my rice cooker and press the white rice button to let it all cook together without watching it?
Yes it can be! Hope you like it!
I noticed that your recipes do not specify what a serving size is per recipe. Could you please add these to your recipes so we know we know how many calories we are consuming per serving. If I’ve missed it, please tell me where I can find this on your recipe pages. OH BTW, your cauliflower au gratin and the quinoa tomato avocado cuke salad was great. great dressing too!
Thanks so much for the feedback. I’m trying to figure out how to do that with my recipes but it would require weighing everything in grams I thinks. Right now, the best way to know the serving size is to divide the full recipe by the serving size. This recipe for example, is for 8 people. I hope that helps while I figure out a way to share the actual serving size. Thank you!
I tried this and the veggies came out waterlogged and tasteless. I didn’t put raw chicken in the rice cooker, but stirred cooked chicken into the cooked rice mixture. If I were to do this again, I’d use the rice cooker to cook the rice in the chicken broth and spices, then add the veggies, chicken and cheese just before serving.
I think cooking the chicken in this recipe makes a huge difference! If you’re going to use cooked chicken, that might be a better approach!
so tasty rice recipe i loved it, so keep posting.
Thanks so much!! Glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
With a working wife I feel it important to pitch in and cook meals for my family when I get off work earlier than my wife. Meals like this make me look like a master chef. Easy to follow and delicious.
Five stars for, ease, flavor, dietary content, clean-up, and fun.
Awww I’m so happy to hear that. It’s so great you were able to pitch in and provide your family such a wonderful meal! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for a great and easy recipe!