One-Pan Chicken & Rice Pilaf
A fragrant, one-pan meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and caramelized veggies. This global-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs chicken thighs, long grain rice, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 large bell pepper
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 3-4 minutes until golden. Add 1 diced bell pepper and 1 cup diced tomatoes; cook 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, skin-side up. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne. Cook 5-7 minutes until browned, then add 1 cup long grain rice, stirring to coat.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, stir to combine. Add 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp thyme. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 4: Let rest 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Serve with extra thyme and lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Chicken & Rice Pilaf take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 One-Pan Chicken & Rice Pilaf?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Chicken & Rice Pilaf?
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 & Rice Pilaf 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 & Rice Pilaf?
Global chicken 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
