One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice for Kids

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A comforting one-pot meal with tender chicken, creamy cheese, and fluffy rice that’s perfect for a quick kid-friendly dinner. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs olive oil, medium onion, finely chopped, minced garlic cloves 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 finely chopped medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup long grain white rice and cook for 1 minute, coating the rice with the oil and aromatics.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth, then add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Step 5: After 15 minutes, stir in 1/2 cup frozen peas, cover again, and cook an additional 5 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Let sit covered for 3 minutes before serving.