One pot chicken and rice with step-by-step photos and a video recipe. Easy chicken rice recipe made with boneless chicken breasts, rice, vegetables, salt, pepper, and herbs. This healthy, hearty, and comforting one-pot meal comes together in just 30 minutes. Gluten-free and dairy-free recipe.
This chicken and rice with vegetables taste amazing. The rice is cooked perfectly; the chicken is moist and tender. The dish is flavored with simple homemade seasoning.
This is one such dish that is definitely going to be enjoyed by your family and friends. Similar one-pot recipes that you might like are Cajun Chicken Rice, Chicken Fajita Rice Skillet, and Mexican Chicken Rice.
About this recipe
In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make one pot chicken and rice. It is flavored with a simple homemade seasoning that can be made in just 5 minutes.
It is made with rice, chicken breasts, simple spices, and herbs. You can serve it with lemon wedges or any salad.
The chicken breast is marinated with homemade seasoning, stir-fried in the pot, and removed to a plate.
Next, sauté the onion, garlic, and vegetables. Add chicken broth, rice, and chicken back to the pot. It is cooked on low heat until the rice is cooked. One pot chicken rice meal is ready in just 30 minutes.
You may also like these other popular One Pot Dinner recipes from this website:
Why You Need This Recipe
- Easy step-by-step instructions with a recipe video.
- This recipe is easy to customize. Check out the ingredient list below for alternative ingredients. You can add or skip the ingredients as per your taste and availability.
- Easy One Pot Meal - The entire dish is made in a single pot within 30 minutes. Fewer dishes to go and easy to clean up.
- Healthy - As I always say - anything that is homemade is healthy. This meal is loaded with chicken (protein), rice (carbohydrates), and vegetables (fiber). A balanced diet for your family.
- Make ahead recipe - You can cook this chicken rice dish in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stays good for 2 days. Reheat until piping hot and serve.
- Family comforting meal - This one pot dinner have mild flavors. Even your little ones will love this recipe.
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken - I have used boneless, skinless chicken breast for making this chicken rice dinner. Chicken breast is a lean source of protein. You can also use boneless chicken thighs to make chicken thighs and rice.
- Lemon juice - You can substitute it with vinegar.
- Oil - I have used olive oil for this recipe. You can use any neutral flavor oil for making this recipe.
- Seasoning - paprika, black pepper, thyme, oregano, salt, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. If you do not like it spicy, skip cayenne pepper. Also, skip onion powder, garlic powder, and thyme, if you do not have it.
- Onion and Garlic - Fresh onion and garlic give a nice flavor to the dish. I have used red onions for this recipe. You can substitute red onions with yellow or white onions. Also, skip the addition of fresh garlic, if not available in your kitchen pantry.
- Mixed vegetables - I have used mixed fresh vegetables like carrots, capsicum, and beans. You can add any other vegetables of your choice like corn, green peas, broccoli, etc. You can also use frozen veggies. But thaw it properly and drain off excess water before adding it to the pot.
- Chicken broth - It adds an extra layer of flavor to this chicken rice dish. I have used homemade chicken broth. You can substitute it with store-bought chicken broth, chicken stock, or add bouillon cubes. Check out the ingredients to make sure you are using gluten-free chicken broth or stock.
- Rice - I have used long-grain basmati rice for this recipe. You can use any long or medium-grain rice. Do not use instant rice for this recipe.
- Coriander leaves - You can substitute them with parsley or fresh basil.
For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.
How to make One Pot Chicken and Rice (Step by step photos)
Preparations
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients mentioned in the seasoning. Keep it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken with 2 teaspoon of seasoning, lemon juice, and oil. Marinate and set it aside for 30 minutes.
Making chicken and rice with vegetables
- Heat 2 teaspoon of oil in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat.
- Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Cook stirring frequently for 3-4 minutes on medium heat. Remove it to a plate.
- In the same pot, add onions and sauté them until translucent.
- Add garlic and mixed vegetables. Sauté on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, remaining seasoning, and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Taste the liquid and add more salt or pepper as per taste.
- Add the chicken back to the pan.
- Add rice and gently stir to combine. Bring it to a boil.
- Cover the pot & cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed by the rice.
- Cover and keep it aside for 10 minutes.
- Fluff it up with a fork. Add coriander leaves.
- One pot chicken rice is ready to serve. Serve this chicken rice with your favorite salad.
Cooking Tips
- Rinse the rice - When you rinse the rice with water it will remove the excess starch. It helps the rice to cook fluffy and non-sticky.
- Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes- The rice grain absorb water and which makes the rice cook faster. Do not hurry up or skip this step.
- Homemade seasoning - You can always adjust the seasoning as per your taste. If you like it less spicy, skip the addition of cayenne pepper.
- Use a heavy bottom pot with a tight-fitting lid. You can also use a heavy bottom pan/skillet with a tight-fitting lid. If you do not have a tight-fitting lid, you can cover the pan with aluminum foil.
- While the rice is simmering do not open the lid, again and again, to check whether the rice is cooked or not. Open the lid once or twice only after 10 minutes of cooking the rice.
- Once the rice is cooked, keep it covered and let it sit for 10 minutes. The rice will absorb the additional moisture in the pan and become fluffy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can but you will have to increase the quantity of water/broth in the recipe. Also, the cooking time for brown rice will be more.
Chicken broth adds great flavor to the dish. I have used homemade chicken broth. However, you can substitute it with chicken stock or bouillon cubes and water.
Yes, absolutely you can cook them together. Once the rice is cooked, check the chicken with an instant meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be at least 165 F.
Yes definitely, this one-pot chicken rice is a healthy meal. It is made with chicken breast (a lean source of protein), rice (carbohydrates), olive oil (essential fats), and vegetables (fiber). Serve it with Greek yogurt coleslaw or any salad of your choice. They all make a balanced diet.
Storage Suggestions
- Store the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
- Let the leftovers come to room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. Stays good for 2 days.
- Reheat it in the microwave until piping hot and serve. You can also reheat it in a heavy bottom pot or pan. Sprinkle some water over the rice. Reheat it on low heat until piping hot and serve.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with any salad of your choice. I would like to serve it with Greek Yogurt Coleslaw.
- Fresh Corn Salsa
- Simply serve it with lemon wedges.
- Sour cream
- Creamy Corn Salad
Variations that you can try
- Add shrimp instead of chicken.
- Add some crisp fried bacon to it.
- Substitute this homemade seasoning with Fajita seasoning, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning for a different flavor.
- To make Indian chicken rice recipe substitute the seasoning with garam masala powder, red chili powder, turmeric, cumin, salt, and coriander powder.
- Add cheese - When the rice and chicken are cooked, add some shredded cheese over it. Cover and keep it aside for 10 minutes. The cheese will melt with the leftover heat.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and a starred review below.
And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Recipe Card
One Pot Chicken and Rice
Equipment
- 1 Heavy bottom pot/pan with a tight fitting lid.
Ingredients
For the seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
To marinate the chicken
- 2 chicken breasts 400 gram, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 teaspoon of the homemade seasoning
- 2 teaspoon oil
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
To make one pot chicken rice
- 2 onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic finely chopped
- 1 cup of mixed vegetables carrots, capsicum and beans
- 1.75 cups (1 cup and ¾ cups) of chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain basmati rice (or Jasmine rice) Rinse and soak it in water for 30 minutes
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped coriander leaves cilantro
Instructions
Preparations
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients mentioned under the seasoning. Keep it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken with 2 teaspoon of seasoning, lemon juice and oil. Marinate and set it aside for 30 minutes.
Making chicken and rice with vegetables
- Heat 2 teaspoon of oil in a heavy bottom pot over medium heat.
- Add the marinated chicken in the pan. Cook stirring frequently for 3-4 minutes on medium heat. The chicken need not to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove it to a plate.
- In the same pot, add onions and sauté it until translucent.
- Add garlic and mixed vegetables. Sauté on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, remaining seasoning, lemon juice, and stir to combine. Taste the liquid and add more salt or pepper as per taste.
- Add the chicken back to the pan.
- Add rice and gently stir to combine. Bring it to a boil.
- Cover the pot & cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed by the rice.
- Cover and keep it aside for 10 minutes.
- Fluff it up with a fork. Add coriander leaves.
- One pot chicken and rice are ready to serve. Serve it with your favorite salad and lemon wedges.
Video
Notes
- Rinse the rice - When you rinse the rice with water it will remove the excess starch. It helps the rice to cook fluffy and non-sticky.
- Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes- The rice grain absorb water and it makes the rice cook faster. Do not hurry up or skip this step.
- Homemade seasoning - You can always adjust the seasoning as per your taste. If you like it less spicy, skip the addition of cayenne pepper.
- Use a heavy bottom pot with a tight-fitting lid. You can also use a heavy bottom pan/skillet with a tight-fitting lid. If you do not have a tight-fitting lid, you can cover the pan with aluminum foil.
- While the rice is simmering do not open the lid, again and again, to check whether the rice is cooked or not. Open the lid once or twice only after 10 minutes of cooking the rice on low heat.
- Once the rice is cooked, keep it covered and let it sit for 10 minutes. The rice will absorb the additional moisture in the pan and becomes fluffy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Preeti
I’ve made this one-pot chicken and rice recipe many times, and it's so easy to make and tastes amazing. It’s the kind of comforting, satisfying meal that's ready in just 30 minutes. Give it a try.