Half-Portion Chicken and Rice
A simple one-pan meal with tender chicken breasts and fluffy rice, seasoned with herbs for a quick and satisfying dinner. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless and skinless chicken breasts, uncooked white rice, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 2, 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 oz, boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 oz chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add chicken breasts and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1/2 cup uncooked white rice and 1 cup chicken broth to the skillet, along with 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes to heat through. Fluff rice with a fork and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Portion Chicken and Rice 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 Half-Portion Chicken and Rice?
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 uncooked white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Portion Chicken and Rice?
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 Half-Portion Chicken and Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Half-Portion Chicken and Rice?
American quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
