One-Pan Chicken & Rice Skillet

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, one-pan meal with tender chicken thighs, fluffy rice, and roasted vegetables, seasoned with herbs and lemon. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 70 minutes pairs chicken thighs, long grain rice, bell peppers 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.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 4 chicken thighs, skin-side up, and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Transfer to the baking dish.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 diced bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add 2 sliced carrots and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup long grain rice, 1 lemon zest, 1 lemon juice, and 1 tsp thyme. Mix until coated. Spread the rice mixture over the chicken.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender. Serve hot, garnished with fresh thyme.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Chicken & Rice Skillet take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Chicken & 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 One-Pan Chicken & 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 One-Pan Chicken & Rice Skillet?

American 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.

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