The Great Deal One-Pot Chicken and Rice
A simple, flavorful weeknight meal where tender chicken and aromatic vegetables simmer together with rice in a single pot for effortless cleanup. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless chicken breasts, chicken broth, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 chicken breasts
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup, diced onion
- 1/2 cup, diced carrots
- 1/2 cup, diced celery
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup rice
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 1 lb boneless chicken breasts with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then add to the pot and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside. Add 1/2 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced carrots, and 1/2 cup diced celery to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup rice, 2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Return chicken to the pot, cover, and cook for 5 more minutes to heat through. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Great Deal One-Pot Chicken and Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 The Great Deal One-Pot 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 boneless chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Great Deal One-Pot 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 The Great Deal One-Pot 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 The Great Deal One-Pot Chicken and Rice?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
