One Pan Spinach Chicken and Rice

Are looking for easy chicken rice recipes for dinner? This chicken rice recipe is so easy to make and tastes delicious.

You can make this spinach chicken rice with fewer ingredients easily available in the kitchen pantry. Similar one-pan chicken rice recipes that you might like are Chicken Fajita Rice Skillet, Cajun Chicken and Rice, Mexican Chicken and Rice, and Prawn Fried Rice.

About this recipe

In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make chicken and rice with spinach. You can make this one-pot dinner quickly within 30 minutes. It is a perfect dinner recipe for busy weekends.

If you are the one who keeps guessing what’s for dinner with chicken. Try this simple chicken rice recipe.

It is made with chicken breast, rice, fresh spinach, onion, and tomatoes.  The chicken is marinated with basic seasoning, pan-seared until slightly charred, and removed to a plate. It adds a smoky flavor to the chicken.

Sauté onions and garlic, and add spinach. Cook until it wilts. Add rice and stock, and finally layer the chicken over it. Close with a lid and cook on low heat until the rice is cooked.

This is the dish that your whole family can enjoy, including your little ones. It is a family-friendly comfort food.

You may also like these other popular chicken and rice recipes from this website:

• Chicken Fajita Rice Skillet
• Cajun Chicken Rice
• Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani
• Mexican Chicken and Rice
• Spanish Chicken and Rice
• Prawn Fried Rice

Why You Need This Recipe

• Easy step-by-step instructions with a recipe video.
• Easy to customize. Check out the ingredient list below for alternative ingredients. You can add or skip the ingredients as per your taste.
• Dinner is ready in 30 minutes.
• Nutritious - This recipe is loaded with the goodness of spinach and chicken. Spinach is a highly nutritious green leafy vegetable and a good source of vitamins. Chicken breasts are an excellent source of lean protein.
• One-pot recipe - Everything is made in a single pot and fewer dishes to clean. Easy to clean up.
• Make-ahead recipe - You can cook it in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stays good for 2 days.
• Gluten-free
• Dairy-free

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Chicken - I have used boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe. You can also use boneless chicken thighs.
• Fresh spinach - I have used fresh spinach for this recipe. If you are using baby spinach add it directly at the end of cooking. Refer to the notes in the recipe card below. For older spinach, you need to cook it before the addition of rice to the recipe.
• Rice - I have used long-grain basmati rice. You can also use Jasmine rice. Or any medium-grain rice. But the ratio of water/liquid to rice will be different. If you are using any other variety of rice then add water as per the directions given on the package.
• Tomato puree - You can substitute it with 2 tablespoon tomato paste. Or use canned tomatoes (chop them and add) to make this one-pot chicken rice recipe.
• Chicken stock - Chicken stock or broth gives the best flavor to the recipe.
• Flavoring - black pepper, salt, garlic powder, paprika. Paprika spices up this chicken rice recipe. Skip paprika if you prefer less spicy. You can substitute garlic powder with fresh garlic paste.
• Lemon juice - It brightens up the flavor of the dish. You can substitute it with vinegar.
• Oil - Olive oil is the best choice for making this chicken and rice. However, you can use any neutral flavor oil, like sunflower oil or canola oil, for this recipe.
• Butter - Add an extra layer of flavor to the rice. It keeps the rice nice and moist. Skip, if you want to avoid extra calories.
• Onion - Gives a very nice flavor to this chicken dish. I have used red onions here. You can substitute it with yellow onion or spring onion whites.
• Garlic - Fresh garlic gives the best flavors. However, you can substitute it with garlic powder or store-bought garlic paste.
• Italian seasoning - Substitute 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning with ½ teaspoon Oregano and ½ teaspoon Thyme. You can make this recipe without Italian seasoning too. Or for a different flavor, add Cajun seasoning or fajita seasoning. Or skip it if you do not have any of these seasonings.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

How to make One-Pan Chicken and Rice with Spinach (Step by Step photos)

Preparations

• Rinse the basmati rice with water 3-4 times until the cloudiness of the water is gone. Soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain off the water. Set this aside.
• In a mixing bowl, combine chicken with pepper, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, lemon juice, and oil. Set it aside to marinate for 30 minutes.

  

Making Spinach Chicken Rice

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a deep bottom pan over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon butter to it.
• Once the pan is hot, add the marinated chicken to the pan. Let it cook for a minute. Stir and cook until char marks appear on both sides. Remove it to a plate. The chicken need not be completely cooked at this stage.
• Add the onion to the same pan. Sauté until onions are golden.
• Add garlic, Italian seasoning, spinach, and pepper. Combine and sauté until spinach leaves are wilted.
• Add rice, tomato puree, and chicken stock.

  

• Gently combine and cook until it comes to a boil.
• Taste the liquid and add salt as per taste.
• Add chicken back to the pan.
• Cover and cook on low heat until the liquid is absorbed by the rice. It may take 15-20 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Keep it covered for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
• Spinach chicken rice is ready to serve.

  

Cooking Tips

• Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes. It keeps the chicken soft and juicy inside when you pan-fry it. Also, enhances the flavor.
• Cooking rice - Cooking rice perfectly depends on the rice-to-liquid ratio. To cook 1 cup of basmati rice you need 1 and ½ cups of water. If you are using any other brand of rice, refer to the rice package to know the rice-to-liquid ratio.
• Be careful while adding salt to the recipe. We have already added salt while marinating the chicken and the chicken broth also has salt in it.

Frequently asked questions

Storage Suggestions

• Store the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Let the leftovers come to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. Stays good for 2 days. Reheat it in the microwave until piping hot and serve.

Variations that you can try

• Add some boiled corn or peas to the dish.
• You can add shrimp instead of chicken.
• Add some grated cheese on top before serving.

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Recipe Card