Central Place Chicken and Rice Bowl
A comforting one-pot meal that brings all the flavors together in harmony, featuring juicy chicken and aromatic rice with a hint of herbs. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, chicken broth, uncooked jasmine rice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz boneless chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 1 cup carrots
- 1/2 cup onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp lemon zest
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 12 oz boneless chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add chicken and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Step 2: Finely chop 1/2 cup onion and mince 2 garlic cloves, then add to the pot with 1 cup carrots (diced) and cook for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice, 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme to the pot, then bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring once halfway through.
- Step 5: Remove lid, fluff rice with a fork, and stir in 2 tbsp fresh parsley and 1 tsp lemon zest until evenly distributed and fragrant.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Central Place Chicken and Rice Bowl take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Central Place Chicken and Rice Bowl?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Central Place Chicken and Rice Bowl?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Central Place Chicken and Rice Bowl for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Central Place Chicken and Rice Bowl?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
