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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 105 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes 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!

    31344 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
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cass says

      September 18, 2023 at 5:02 pm

      Amazing. I now cook this whenever we have guests. It's easy, quick and always a hit. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        September 19, 2023 at 12:18 pm

        I am so happy to hear that, Cass. Thank you.

        Reply
    2. Rob says

      September 15, 2023 at 10:45 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious, I add a little cayenne pepper for a kick and mushrooms to flavour rice.

      Reply
    3. Nonna mary says

      September 10, 2023 at 6:58 pm

      Made recipe last night but with spices I had on hand. Husband and I loved it. Always looking for new ways to prepare chicken. Wondering if it would work with pork chops??

      Reply
    4. EllyElly says

      September 04, 2023 at 10:44 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for helping me figure out how to make my chicken thighs in the fridge into dinner! I adjusted the seasonings to things I particularly enjoy and added half a lemon’s juice to the rice at the end. But I needed to know the time and temps of making the classic chicken and rice. So delicious. Thank you!

      Reply
    5. Leena says

      August 02, 2023 at 9:02 pm

      Why would you say remove the skin when the chicken skin is fully intact?

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        August 07, 2023 at 9:18 pm

        you can cook it with the skin on if you want.

        Reply
    6. Deanna says

      July 27, 2023 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      Had this last night and my husband and I loved it thank you sooooo much

      Reply
    7. Donna says

      July 25, 2023 at 1:34 am

      5 stars
      This dish is delicious! I added half a bag of frozen English peas on top during the last 10 minutes of cooking! It will be one of my go-to dishes from now on! Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        July 25, 2023 at 10:11 am

        My pleasure, Donna. Thank you for the feedback and I am glad you enjoyed this recipe

        Reply
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    Hi! I'm Ajoke.

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