One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice with Spinach
A comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken and fluffy rice cooked together with spinach in a creamy sauce. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- 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 golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup long grain white rice to the skillet and stir for 1 minute to toast the grains lightly.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 1/2 cups chicken broth and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 5: After 15 minutes, stir in 4 cups fresh spinach and the reserved cooked chicken. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes until the spinach wilts and rice is tender.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese until combined and creamy. Let sit uncovered for 2 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy 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 Creamy 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 Creamy 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 Creamy 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 Creamy 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.
