One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Spinach
A creamy, cheesy one-pot chicken and rice dish enriched with fresh spinach for a nutritious family meal. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cut chicken thighs and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, cooking for 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup long grain white rice, coating it well with oil and cooking for 1 minute to lightly toast the grains.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 1/4 cups chicken broth, then add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
- Step 5: Simmer gently for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove lid and fold in 3 cups chopped fresh spinach and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, stirring until cheese melts and spinach wilts.
- Step 6: Let rest covered for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Spinach?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Spinach?
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-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Spinach 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-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Spinach?
American one pot 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.
