One-Pan Chicken and Rice
A no-fuss, budget-friendly meal that combines tender chicken, vegetables, and fluffy rice in one pot. Ideal for families or meal prepping. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breast, long-grain white rice, medium (julienned) carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 2 (6 oz each) chicken breast
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 medium (julienned) carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups low-sodium broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned but not cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add carrots to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in rice, peas, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and transfer to oven. Bake for 25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
- Step 3: Let rest for 5 minutes, then flake chicken and stir into the rice mixture. Serve directly from the pan.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Chicken and Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 One-Pan 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 (6 oz each) chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan 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 One-Pan Chicken and Rice 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 One-Pan 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
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this one-pan are incredible.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.