One-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken and Rice
A comforting, all-in-one meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a creamy tomato sauce—ready in under 35 minutes. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 45 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced onion, minced garlic 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
- 1.5 lbs, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until onion is soft and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup long-grain rice, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Return the chicken to the pot, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring once halfway through.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, let stand for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken and Rice take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 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-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken and Rice?
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 Tomato Chicken and Rice?
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 Tomato Chicken and Rice 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 Tomato Chicken and Rice?
American kid friendly 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
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 35-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.