Why You’ll Love this One-Pan Chicken and Rice
This one-pan chicken and rice recipe might just become your new weeknight hero. I’m talking about tender chicken pieces nestled on a bed of flavorful rice, all cooked together in one skillet. What’s not to love?
First, it’s incredibly convenient—fewer dishes means less cleanup time. The combination of sautéed vegetables, long-grain rice, and seasoned chicken creates layers of flavor that taste like you’ve been cooking all day.
Plus, the technique of first browning the chicken, then partially cooking the rice before combining them to finish in the oven? Pure genius. The result is perfectly cooked chicken with rice that absorbs all those savory juices.
What Ingredients are in One-Pan Chicken and Rice?
This classic one-pan chicken and rice recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly comforting. The beauty of this dish is how the humble ingredients transform when cooked together—the chicken releases its juices into the rice, and the vegetables add depth of flavor.
It’s a perfect example of how straightforward ingredients can create something greater than the sum of their parts.
- 1 whole chicken, cut up
- ½ cup butter, divided
- 4 cups water, divided
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1½ cups long grain rice, uncooked
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- 2 green onions with tops, diced
- ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters but doesn’t need to be fancy. Look for chicken pieces with skin on—they’ll brown better and add more flavor to your dish.
The long grain rice is important because it stays fluffy and doesn’t get mushy during the longer cooking process. And while the recipe calls for basic seasonings, you could certainly adapt based on what you have in your pantry.
Don’t have green bell pepper? Red or yellow will work just fine. The recipe is wonderfully flexible while still delivering that classic, comforting flavor profile we all crave.
How to Make this One-Pan Chicken and Rice
This comforting dish comes together in three main stages, creating layers of flavor that meld beautifully.
Begin by seasoning your chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder—don’t be shy with the seasonings here, as they’ll infuse the entire dish. Melt ¼ cup (half stick) of butter in a large, oven-proof skillet and sauté the chicken until it’s nicely browned on all sides. This might take a bit of patience, but those golden bits are flavor gold.
Once browned, pour in 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon dissolved in it, cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
While the chicken works its magic, you’ll start the rice component in a separate pot. Melt the remaining ¼ cup of butter and sauté your veggie mix—¼ cup diced onion, 1 chopped celery rib, 2 diced green onions, and ¼ cup diced green bell pepper.
When they’ve softened slightly, add 1½ cups of uncooked long grain rice to the pot, stirring until it begins to take on a slight golden hue. This toasting step might seem small, but it adds remarkable depth to the finished dish.
Add 3 cups of water, bring to a boil, then reduce to very low heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the rice is partially cooked.
Now comes the magic of the one-pan approach. Remove the chicken from the skillet but keep all that flavorful liquid in there—it’s liquid gold. Investing in a premium cookware set can make this process even more enjoyable, as quality pots conduct heat more evenly.
Pour your partially cooked rice and vegetable mixture into the skillet, arranging the chicken pieces on top. For even better results, consider using premium soup equipment to elevate the rich flavors in this hearty one-pan meal. The whole pan then goes into a 350-degree oven, covered, for about 30 minutes.
For that irresistible golden finish, remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
The result? Perfectly cooked rice infused with chicken flavor and beautifully browned chicken with crispy skin. The transformation from simple ingredients to comfort food masterpiece is nearly complete—all that’s left is to serve it up and watch everyone’s eyes light up at the first bite.
One-Pan Chicken and Rice Substitutions and Variations
While our classic chicken and rice recipe is absolutely delicious as written, the beauty of homey dishes like this lies in their flexibility.
I’m a firm believer in making recipes your own.
Don’t have green bell peppers? Red or yellow work beautifully, adding a touch of sweetness. Craving something with a kick? Sprinkle in cayenne or add diced jalapeños to the vegetable mix. For a Mediterranean twist, try adding olives, lemon zest, and oregano.
Vegetarians can substitute mushrooms for chicken, creating an earthy alternative. And if you’re short on time, boneless thighs cook faster than bone-in pieces.
What to Serve with One-Pan Chicken and Rice
Although our one-pan chicken and rice shines as a meal on its own, I love pairing it with simple sides that complement its homey flavors. A crisp green salad with vinaigrette cuts through the richness, while steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus adds color and nutrition.
Who doesn’t appreciate a meal with something green on the plate?
For bread lovers, warm dinner rolls or crusty French bread makes perfect vehicles for sopping up those savory juices. And trust me, you won’t want to waste a drop.
During cooler months, a side of cranberry sauce offers a tangy contrast that, surprisingly, works beautifully with this comfort dish.
Final Thoughts
After discovering this one-pan chicken and rice recipe, I’ve become convinced that simplicity often yields the most satisfying results in home cooking.
There’s something magical about watching humble ingredients transform into a comforting meal that brings everyone to the table.
What I love most is the versatility—swap in different vegetables based on what’s in your fridge, adjust the seasonings to your family’s taste, or add a splash of cream at the end for extra richness.
The beauty lies in its adaptability.
Much like traditional Southern corn pudding, this dish brings together basic ingredients in a way that creates something greater than the sum of its parts.
Much like the slow caramelization in French onion soup, this dish rewards patience as the flavors meld together.
