This One Pot Chicken and Rice with Vegetables is one of my favorite weekday dinners to make. Loaded with broccoli, red peppers, and cheddar cheese, this tasty comfort food is family-friendly and will be on your dinner table in under 30 minutes!
Why this recipe works
This refreshing chicken and rice dish is packed with protein and plenty of nourishing vegetables. Perfect for a post gym lunch or when you are trying to eat cleaner.
As a one pot dish, this cheesy chicken and rice recipe is easy to whip up and requires minimal washing up afterwards. Easily make one or many servings to store for later.
It’s hearty, packed with protein and easy to meal prep. Just sautee your chicken followed by the vegetables then add rice and chicken broth. It's really that easy!
It’s simple seasoning of salt, pepper and thyme makes it quick yet flavorful which is why it’s a staple dish I always go back to when I don’t want too much fuss. Be sure to add this one to your favorite one pot chicken recipes category!
Are you a sucker for chicken comfort foods? Try my Chicken and Kale Casserole, these Easy Chicken Quesadillas or Chicken Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce.
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Ingredients
Not much goes into this flavorful, one pot chicken and rice recipe and most of the ingredients could be in your pantry already. Don't let the simplicity of this recipe fool you though, it's delicious!
Chicken
Chicken is a great base for this dish. Its mild and succulent complimenting the delicate flavor palate this dish offers. You could swap other meats or vegetarian proteins in easily which is what makes this dish so dynamic. Just ensure you adjust the cook time appropriately.
Thyme
Thyme adds an earthy mint flavor to this one pot chicken recipe. Thyme pairs well with most meets and vegetables adding a refreshing flavor without overwhelming the dish.
Olive oil
Olive oil is loved in Italian cooking for its distinctive fresh slightly herby taste. It’s praised as being one of the healthier oils as it contains important healthy fats and vital vitamin E. Olive oil is best cooked slow and lower heats to preserve its taste and consistency.
How to make it
Not only is this a one pot recipe, but it only takes six easy steps to make it. Below is a step by step to make my one pot chicken and rice. Exact measurements for all the ingredients will be in the recipe card near the bottom of the page.
- Heat some olive oil in a pot and begin sautéing the onions.
- Add the chicken and cook until the center of the chicken is cooked.
- Add the long grain rice, chicken broth, thyme, and salt and pepper. Mix together until combined and cook on medium heat until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the broccoli, red bell peppers and half of the cheese. Mix.
- Cover and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat and add the remaining cheese. Cover the pot and let it sit until the cheese is melted.
Tips, Tricks & Substitutions
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts.
- Dried thyme leaves can be substituted with fresh ones, just divide amount of dried in half.
- If using fresh thyme, add it towards the end of the cooking process.
- If you're not a fan of either fresh or dried thyme, you can substitute for oregano. Either fresh or dried would work fine.
FAQs
Cooked chicken can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container. You can alternatively store it in the freezer safely for 2-6 months.
Oregano is most probably the best substitute for thyme. It has similar earthy notes with a slight bitterness. Fresh oregano works better however dried version hold its flavor well and is easily added to this dish or sprinkled on top as a garnish.
Sauteing involves tossing and stirring vegetables in a heated up fat. It usually uses either olive oil or butter and is known to be one of the fastest ways to cook vegetables. Your sauted vegetables should end up slightly browned and maintain some of their crunch. The cooking method uses minimal fat to soften them and bring out richer flavors from the vegetables.
Some other one pot recipes you'd enjoy
So, what did you think? If you enjoyed it, I would much appreciate if you leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. And don't worry I'm an Italian from New Jersey...I got thick skin!
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Recipe
One Pot Chicken and Rice with Vegetables
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 20 oz boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 tsp salt ½ to season chicken, ½ for cooking
- 1 tsp pepper ½ to season chicken, ½ for cooking
- 1 cup white rice long grain; rinsed and drained
- 2½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup red bell pepper large pepper; cut into cubes
- 2½ cup broccoli florets
- 2 cup cheddar cheese grated
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp white onion minced
Instructions
- Heat up the olive oil in the dutch oven.2 tbsp olive oil
- Sauté onions for about 3-4 minutes until they start to become soft.3 tbsp white onion
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and season with ½ the salt and ½ the pepper and add it to the pot of onions, continue sautéing until center is cooked; about 6-7 minutes.20 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper
- Add rice, chicken broth and thyme leaves, season with the rest of the salt and pepper. Mix together and let it cook over medium heat, while stirring continuously for about 10-15 mins or until most of the liquid is absorbed.2 tsp salt, 1 cup white rice, 2½ cup chicken broth, ½ tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp pepper
- Add bell peppers, broccoli and half of the grated cheese then cover. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 8-10 mins.1 cup red bell pepper, 2½ cup broccoli, 2 cup cheddar cheese
- Remove from heat, add the remaining cheese then cover the pot. Let it sit until the cheese is melted.2 cup cheddar cheese
Notes
- I will typically double this recipe up in a large dutch oven and eat the leftovers over the next day or two. This meal is great right out of the pot or warmed up in the microwave.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts.
- Dried thyme leaves can be substituted with fresh ones, just divide amount of dried in half. If using fresh thyme, add it towards the end of the cooking process.
- If you're not a fan of either fresh or dried thyme, you can substitute for oregano. Either fresh or dried would work fine.
- Nutritional information provided is based on a best guess-timate and will vary depending on the brands you use and other variations you take with this recipe. It is recommended you check your exact measurements to come up with your own figures.
Nutrition
About The Skinny Guinea
Hey...how you doin'? I'm Tommy, The Skinny Guinea…just a busy dad who loves to cook. Offering easy to cook dinners and family friendly recipes, while always staying true to my Italian roots!
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