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    Home » Main Dishes » One Pot Chicken and Rice

    Published: Feb 1, 2021 · Modified: Feb 4, 2022 by Ajoke · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    One Pot Chicken and Rice

    Skip to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This one-pot chicken and rice is about to be your family’s favourite. The skinless chicken thighs are tender and juicy and the rice is perfectly fluffy.

    This is sure a winner weeknight dinner you and your family will enjoy. It is simple, comforting and delicious! Serve it with steamed carrots, broccoli or asparagus.

    One pot chicken and rice recipe

    Who doesn’t like a good one pot dinner? I make them all the time because they are super easy, convenient and quick to make. My family enjoys this easy one pan dish too, more importantly, I am glad my readers love it too.

    Although both chicken and rice recipes on the blog were made in my instant pot pressure cooker. I am listening to my readers who are yet to join the instant pot bandwagon and showing you how I make stovetop one-pan chicken and rice in easy steps. Today’s recipe is similar to my instant pot chicken and rice and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

    This recipe is so good that you can make it into your own. I love smoked paprika and I add it to almost anything. Can I pretend it is a sort of Spanish vibe? Just kidding but really, if you are not a fan of the spices used in today’s recipe then you can simply make it your own. That said, the flavors in this rice and chicken is AMAZING!!!

    Related post: One-pan chicken dinner, this is a simple chicken and potato recipe made in one tray. You may also like this garlic butter-infused chicken, rice with mushrooms.

    Why you will love this recipe

    • It is simple, quick and fast
    • Uses simple pantry ingredients
    • Minimal prep: 10 minutes tops!
    • While this is stove top recipe, it can be oven baked too.
    • Totally customisable to taste
    • Depending on the type of rice, you are using, this recipe would be ready in 30 minutes. See why you have to love a one-pot dinner? It is totally awesome!
    • It stores well in the fridge at least for up to 5 days, I like to keep it for 3 days maximum for optimum freshness. You can also freeze it too!
    a close shot of rice and chicken.

    Chicken and Rice Ingredients

    Uncooked Basmati rice: swap for jasmine rice or long grain rice. I used golden sella basmati rice which cooks like long grain rice.

    Bone-in skinless chicken thighs: I removed the skin off the chicken myself as we hardly eat chicken with skin on. Also, to make this recipe healthy, it is best to cook without the skin.

    Mixed herbs: swap for Italian seasoning or herb de Provence

    Smoked paprika: substitute for sweet paprika

    Salt and black pepper

    Onion powder

    Garlic powder

    Olive oil: substitute with vegetable oil, coconut oil, avocado oil or any other cooking oil of choice.

    Unsalted butter

    Low sodium chicken stock.

    Green onions for garnish: substitute for chives, parsley or even coriander.

    ingredients.

    How to make chicken and rice in one pot in easy steps

    To a small mixing bowl, add smoked paprika, mixed herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper and mix to combine. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear and set aside.

    Add the chicken thighs to a bigger bowl and add the seasoning reserving about a teaspoon for later.  Mix until the chicken is well coated.

    chicken marinating in a glass bowl.

    Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high heat, carefully add the chicken, skin side down and sear for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and place it on a plate and set it aside. (You can blot the oil with a kitchen towel if it looks too much at this point as the chicken releases its own oil too)

    Sauté the chopped onions in the hot oil until soft, stir in the rinsed rice and toast for about a minute or two making sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Pour the chicken stock over the rice, the reserved seasoning and stir to combine. Deglaze the bottom of the pan while stirring by scraping the bottom of the pan. This way the rice doesn’t burn when cooking.

    Arrange the chicken thighs over the rice then cover the pot with its lid and cook on low-medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the type of rice you are using. When the rice is done, it would be tender, fluffy and the water would be absorbed too.

    Garnish the rice with chopped green onions, cover and let it stand for another 3 minutes. fluff the rice with a fork, serve and enjoy!

    rice and chicken in a skillet.

    Tips

    • Squeeze a bit of lemon or lime over the rice and chicken for a zesty flavour
    • You can stir in a handful of spinach or frozen vegetables 5 minutes to the end of the cooking time for a healthier option.

    Frequently Asked Question

    Can I bake chicken and rice in the oven?

    Absolutely, all you have to do is preheat the oven at 180C/350F. follow all the steps above but instead of cooking on the stove, bake in the oven covered for 50 minutes to 1 hour.

    Is chicken and rice healthy?

    Yes, it is, but as with everything in life, you have to eat it in moderation regardless of how delicious it is. It contains protein and carbs that is good for the body.

    Can this be made ahead?

    Yes, in fact rice and chicken is great for meal prepping and tastes better the next day too.

    rice and chicken in a pan.

    More rice recipes you will love

    Instant pot Spanish rice

    Super easy spinach rice

    Pressure cooker rice and chicken

    Nigerian jollof rice

    Chicken bog

    Instant pot rice and beans

    If you made this easy skillet chicken and rice recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox

    a skillet of rice and chicken garnished with green onions.

    One Pot Chicken and Rice

    Ajoke
    This one pot chicken and rice is about to be your family’s favourite. The skinless chicken thighs are tender and juicy and the rice is perfectly fluffy. This is sure a winner weeknight dinner you and your family will enjoy. It is simple, comforting and delicious.
    5 from 68 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 6
    Calories 441 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1½ cups uncooked basmati rice
    • 6 chicken thighs
    • 1 ½ teaspoon mixed herbs
    • 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
    • 1 cup onion chopped any types of onion would work for this recipe.
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 3 cups low sodium chicken stock.
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • ½ cup green onions to garnish sub with chives, parsley or coriander

    Instructions
     

    • To a small mixing bowl, add smoked paprika, mixed herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper and mix to combine. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear and set aside.
      mixed spices in a small glass bowl.
    • Add the chicken thighs to a bigger bowl and add the seasoning reserving about a teaspoon for later. Mix until the chicken is well coated.
      raw chicken coated with seasoning.
    • Heat up olive oil on medium high heat, carefully add the chicken, skin side down and sear for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and place on a plate and set aside. (You can blot the oil with kitchen towel if it looks too much at this point as the chicken releases its own oil too)
      chicken searing in a skillet.
    • Sauté the chopped onions in the hot oil until soft and translucent, add the butter, and stir until melted. stir in the rinsed rice and toast for about a minute or two making sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Pour the chicken stock over the rice, add the reserved seasoning, and stir to combine. Deglaze the bottom of the pan while stirring by scraping the bottom of the pan. This way the rice doesn’t burn when cooking.
      Taste and adjust seasoning to taste at this point
    • Arrange the chicken thighs over the rice then cover the pot with its lid and cook on low-medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the type of rice you are using. When the rice is done, it would be tender, fluffy and the water would be absorbed too.
      chicken in a pan.
    • Garnish the rice with chopped green onions, cover and let it stand for another 3 minutes. fluff the rice with a fork, serve and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Note:
    • The top of the chicken might look dry when the dish is ready, this is totally fine and nothing to worry about. simply stir the chicken into the rice without tearing it and voila, you will be left with shiny and presentable looking pieces of chicken.
    • If you are using a different type of rice then adjust the liquid ratio and cooking time to suit.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 441kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 23gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 442mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 561IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 2mg

    Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

    Keyword chicken and rice, one pan chicken and rice, one pot chicken and rice
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thedinnerbite or tag #thedinnerbite!
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE RATE IT AND LEAVE ME A COMMENT. USE #THEDINNERBITE OR TAG @THEDINNERBITE ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SEE YOUR PHOTOS, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS. THANK YOU!

    20475 shares

    Filed Under: Main Dishes Tagged With: 10 ingredients or less, healthy

    About Ajoke

    Hello, Nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience

    Previous Post: « Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder
    Next Post: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michele Lynn says

      March 14, 2023 at 12:28 am

      5 stars
      Lovely dish. How would you suggest reheating the leftovers?

      Reply
    2. Alyssa Torres says

      February 20, 2023 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      I think this recipe satisfy’s everyone in the family, Thank you!! So delicious ❤️

      Reply
    3. Siobhan says

      February 20, 2023 at 12:12 pm

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe however I replaced the mixed herb with a spoon of Malaysian curry powder. The recipe turned out incredibly well. My 6 and 7 year old daughter loved it much more than I had anticipated.

      Thank you!

      Reply
    4. Kaye says

      February 03, 2023 at 1:37 am

      5 stars
      Loved it! Such a quick, healthy, tasty dinner. Plan to add spinach and mushrooms next time.

      Reply
    5. Howard Wayne says

      January 28, 2023 at 7:48 am

      5 stars
      I prepared this dish for dinner last night. It was delicious.
      Thank you for providing a Recipe that has been tested.
      Just follow the directions and enjoy the dish!

      Reply
    6. Rebeccah Davies says

      January 20, 2023 at 12:25 am

      5 stars
      Mine didn’t look like this but it sure was tasty!!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        January 20, 2023 at 12:58 pm

        I am glad to hear that, Rebeccah. Thank you for the feedback

        Reply
    7. Courtney says

      January 14, 2023 at 12:50 am

      This was great, thank you!! I can't have butter, but omitted it without any substitutions and it was still great (I still had oil in the pan after removing the chicken).

      I also used boneless chicken breasts, since that was what I had on-hand and it turned out great - I just cut them into "chicken strip" sizes so they cooked through. We'll absolutely make again! Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
    8. Nyaradzai Dube says

      January 08, 2023 at 8:29 pm

      This was absolutely amazing! It was my first time trying such a recipe and it was amazing!

      Reply
    9. Estelle says

      January 02, 2023 at 10:01 am

      I I tried the recipe and it’s delicious. My grandson wants me to cook it again.

      I have a question though, we had butter as one of the ingredients but it is not mentioned anywhere in the method. Please explain

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        January 05, 2023 at 5:45 pm

        Hi Estelle, I am glad you and your grandson enjoyed this recipe. The butter is added when you saute the onions. I will fix it now in the recipe card.

        Reply
    10. Lexi says

      December 01, 2022 at 2:36 am

      I suggest using boneless/skinless. I used bone in thighs and they were undercooked and gross. I even threw them in the oven for an extra 15 minutes. The rice was delicious. I used extra butter!

      Reply
    11. Amanda says

      November 13, 2022 at 10:33 pm

      5 stars
      What size pan are you using here? Will a 3.5 qt pan hold all of this do you think? Looks amazing and can’t wait to try it out!

      Reply
    12. Jamal Woods says

      November 05, 2022 at 11:37 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVED this, I opted for Jasmine rice as I didn't have any Basmati rice on hand at the current moment. This came out stellar, and you weren't kidding about being able to make it your own. Your blueprint is AMAZING. This will definitely be added to weekly rotation. We love simplicity around here lol.

      My only question is about the 'Mixed Herbs' ingredient. What exactly is it? I just ended up using Italian seasoning with some dried Thyme and Rosemary mixed in and it came out lovely still, and a bayleaf for the final step. Thank you again!

      Reply
    13. Jessica B. says

      October 18, 2022 at 9:58 pm

      5 stars
      My hubby asks for this every week! Thank you for this! We always have enough leftover for lunch the next day, too. I added some frozen peas tonight and fresh parsley- mmmm smells and looks amazing!

      Reply
    14. Andrea says

      October 18, 2022 at 12:53 am

      5 stars
      I made this tonight for my family. It was a big hit. The tweeks I made: instant brown rice & added some extra chicken base. Next time I'm going to add some peas & carrots. I don't always love one pot recipes but this one was awesome.

      Reply
    15. Nala says

      October 16, 2022 at 11:58 am

      The aroma that filled the house as I cooked was amazing.
      It's definitely my new favourite.

      Reply
    16. Alayna says

      October 01, 2022 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is a perfect base that can be served as is or adapted for so many variations! Added cherry tomatoes, frozen veggies, and feta on top of the rice with the chicken to make a Mediterranean dish today, yum!

      Reply
    17. Rebecca Peebles says

      September 27, 2022 at 5:40 pm

      I want to try this recipe but how in the world are chicken thighs done in 15 minutes? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        September 28, 2022 at 12:36 pm

        Hi Rebecca, don't forget you will sear the chicken thighs for a few minutes before you cook them with the rice. The steam from the rice helps cook the chicken. If you are in doubt. check the temp of the meat (165F/73C).

        Reply
        • Marcia says

          October 01, 2022 at 10:40 pm

          Hi there. Thanks for the inspiration today. I used your recipe as a guide and made it totally my own. I used chicken breasts along with fresh veggies and herbs and spices. Delish 😋

          Reply
      • Amy says

        January 24, 2023 at 2:20 am

        The thighs I used were already at 115° when I finished the searing them. I did 20 minutes for the rice and the chicken was all 175° or higher.

        Reply
    18. Marie says

      September 25, 2022 at 11:14 pm

      5 stars
      This has become a dinner favorite. I make it just as the recipe stars and it always comes out perfectly!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        September 26, 2022 at 9:38 am

        Thank you, Marie! I am glad you loved this recipe

        Reply
    19. Susie M says

      September 21, 2022 at 2:34 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! It’s so tasty and the thighs are tender. Ive made this several times my whole loves it too!

      Reply
    20. Vikki says

      September 07, 2022 at 5:11 pm

      Wow! The full family loved this and I have picky eaters. I never have much luck when cooking rice for some reason. This is the first time rice has worked out for me. Am super happy. This recipe will most defiantly be added to my fav recipes. Thank you.

      Reply
    21. Lex says

      August 11, 2022 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      This was great super easy to follow and make, I made this in a Dutch oven and added a bag of frozen peas and carrots that I had in my freezer with a little chicken bouillon to make up some of the flavor loss after adding the frozen vegetables. DELICIOUS!!!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        August 12, 2022 at 9:38 am

        Thank you, Lex, for the tip, I am glad you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply
    22. Kevin L. says

      August 02, 2022 at 2:54 am

      5 stars
      Made this in a dutch oven on the stove. Excellent!!!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        August 02, 2022 at 11:26 am

        Thank you Kelvin for your great feedback.

        Reply
    23. Kofi says

      July 23, 2022 at 5:41 am

      Would this work in a cast iron?

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        July 31, 2022 at 9:35 pm

        Yes, you can cook the rice and chicken in a cast iron, do kindly let me know how it turns out. thanks

        Reply
    24. Nella says

      July 22, 2022 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      Made this recipe today with boneless chicken breasts and WOW! Even without onion powder the taste is amazing! Love it & thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        July 31, 2022 at 9:41 pm

        Yay! thanks for the feedback, Nella!

        Reply
    25. Rick says

      July 18, 2022 at 10:55 pm

      5 stars
      Recipe came out great. The rice had a great flavour. I used a bit of regular paprika and an equal amount less of smoked paprika because I don't like too much of the smoked paprika flavour.

      Reply
    26. Ferdinand says

      July 13, 2022 at 2:43 am

      5 stars
      Great fish,family loved it!!!

      Reply
    27. Erin says

      May 18, 2022 at 12:23 am

      When does the butter get added?

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        May 19, 2022 at 8:53 am

        The butter goes in just after you saute the onions. I have now added the missing info to the recipe card. Thank you and I hope you get to try the recipe

        Reply
    28. Megan says

      December 29, 2021 at 5:01 am

      The recipe doesn't include chicken, so I think the calorie count is off.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        December 29, 2021 at 1:22 pm

        Hello Mega, thank you for the observation, it was an oversight. It's all updated now.

        Reply
    29. Abbey says

      November 16, 2021 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      Soooooooooo good

      Reply
    30. Sharon says

      November 13, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      What would be the cooking time for using an instant pot?

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        November 15, 2021 at 1:45 pm

        follow the steps in the recipe and cook for 6 minutes on high pressure, alternatively, follow this recipe https://www.thedinnerbite.com/instant-pot-chicken-thighs-and-rice/

        Reply
    31. Brynn says

      October 26, 2021 at 2:11 am

      5 stars
      This was great! Thank you! I only had boneless, skinless thighs and it still came out great. I think you forgot to say where to add the butter, but honestly it didn’t need it! Realized at the end that I never used it 🙂

      Reply
    32. Ginny says

      June 05, 2021 at 10:27 pm

      I am making this today using boneless, skinless chicken thighs and extra long grain white rice because that's all I have on hand. I am praying this turns out okay because this is the only chicken and rice recipe I could find that sounds and looks appetizing. Will post my results

      Reply
      • Hamon says

        June 08, 2022 at 6:20 pm

        You never posted your results...

        Reply

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