One-Pot Spicy Chicken and Rice Skillet
A flavorful all-in-one skillet meal with tender chicken, aromatic spices, and fluffy rice, perfect for a quick and filling weeknight dinner. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs rinsed long grain white rice, medium, diced yellow onion, medium, diced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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
- 2 large, cut into 1-inch cubes boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup, rinsed long grain white rice
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped (optional) fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 large cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally until browned but not fully cooked.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 diced medium red bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 3 minutes until vegetables soften and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed long grain white rice, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, coating the rice and chicken evenly.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and add remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, fluff rice with a fork, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro if using. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spicy Chicken and Rice Skillet 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 Spicy Chicken and Rice Skillet?
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 rinsed long grain white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spicy Chicken and Rice Skillet?
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 Spicy Chicken and Rice Skillet 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 Spicy Chicken and Rice Skillet?
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.
