Easy One-Pot Chicken: Simple One Pot Dinners for Busy Families

Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe for American and UK families

Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (American & UK Family Dinner)

Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights.
This dish combines juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and wholesome vegetables into one simple pot—saving time,
cleanup, and stress while delivering incredible flavor.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 40 min
Total: 50 min
Servings: 4–6

Ingredients for Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables
  • 1 tsp salt (divided)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • Optional: bay leaf, lemon juice, fresh parsley

How to Make Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
  2. Season chicken with half the salt, pepper, and paprika. Brown for 4–5 minutes and remove.
  3. Sauté onion and carrots until soft. Add garlic and cook briefly.
  4. Add rice, remaining spices, and toast lightly.
  5. Return chicken, pour in broth, bring to a boil.
  6. Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes until rice is tender.
  7. Stir in peas, rest covered 5–10 minutes, fluff and serve.

Why This Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe Works

This Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe is designed using tested cooking principles:
browning the chicken first builds deep flavor, while cooking rice directly in broth allows it to absorb
savory goodness. The one-pot method locks in moisture and ensures consistent results every time.

According to professional cooking standards recommended by
Bon Appétit and
Simply Recipes,
layered seasoning and controlled simmering are key to perfect rice dishes.

Expert Cooking Tips (Experience-Based)

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier results.
  • Never lift the lid while rice is cooking.
  • Toast rice briefly to prevent mushiness.
  • Resting time helps rice finish steaming evenly.

Healthy Variations

This Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe is flexible and nutritious.
You can make it gluten-free naturally or switch to brown rice for extra fiber.
For vegetarian diets, replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu and use vegetable broth.

Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe for Busy American Families FAQs

Can I use brown rice?

Yes. Increase broth to 4 cups and cook for 40–45 minutes.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely. This Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe stores well for up to 4 days.

Why is my rice sticky?

Sticky rice usually means too much liquid or frequent stirring.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, freeze up to 2 months in airtight containers.

Is this Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe popular in the USA?

Yes. It’s a common American comfort food served as a quick and filling family dinner.

Can UK readers make this chicken and rice recipe easily?

Absolutely. All ingredients are commonly available in UK supermarkets.

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