Easy One-Pan Chicken and Rice Skillet
A budget-conscious one-pan meal combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, and colorful bell peppers for a satisfying dinner. This american-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs jasmine rice, medium, sliced bell peppers, large, chopped onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 4 boneless, skinless (about 1 lb) chicken thighs
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 2 medium, sliced bell peppers
- 1 large, chopped onions
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 chicken thighs and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté 1 large chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add 2 sliced bell peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly charred.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tsp paprika. Cook for 1 minute, then add 1 cup jasmine rice, 2 cups chicken broth, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat, nestle the chicken thighs into the rice, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is tender and the rice is fully cooked. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Easy One-Pan Chicken and Rice Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Easy One-Pan Chicken and Rice Skillet?
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 jasmine rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Easy One-Pan Chicken and Rice Skillet?
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 Easy One-Pan Chicken and Rice Skillet 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 Easy One-Pan Chicken and Rice Skillet?
American soups 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.