One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice

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

A simple, comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in garlic butter and aromatic rice. This comfort food-inspired one pot ready in about 45 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Comfort Food cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat until melted and foamy. Add 4 bone-in chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 7-8 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add 1 cup long grain white rice and stir to coat the rice in the garlic butter for 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, then season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, placing them on top of the rice. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the dish before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with 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 Garlic Butter Chicken with 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with 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 Garlic Butter Chicken with 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 Garlic Butter Chicken with Rice?

Comfort Food 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.

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