Effortless One-Pan Chicken and Veggie Rice: Your Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Solution
Discover the ultimate solution for busy weeknights with our delicious One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice. This incredibly tasty and super quick meal simplifies dinner prep, allowing you to create a complete meal in one pan with minimal effort and simple ingredients. Combining precooked chicken, vibrant vegetables, and fluffy white rice, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with hardly any cleanup.
This easy one-pot chicken and rice recipe is a true family favorite, designed for convenience without sacrificing taste. With minimal prep work, you can have a hearty and wholesome meal on the table, making it the perfect choice for those hectic evenings when time is of the essence. Whether you enjoy it as a standalone dish or pair it with an additional side, this satisfying meal is guaranteed to fill you up and tantalize your taste buds.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
What truly makes this recipe a standout is its incredible versatility and convenience. You can effortlessly use any leftover cooked chicken you might have on hand from another meal, or simply pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store. This simple trick dramatically cuts down on the overall cooking time, transforming this dish into a truly easy dinner recipe that fits seamlessly into your busy schedule.
Beyond its time-saving benefits, this one-pan wonder is also incredibly delicious and packs a powerful nutritional punch. It’s loaded with lean protein from the chicken and a generous medley of colorful vegetables, making it a balanced and wholesome meal for the entire family. The flavorful Italian seasoning combined with savory chicken broth creates a comforting aroma and taste that everyone will adore. Plus, the fact that it’s all cooked in one pan means fewer dishes to wash, which is always a win on a busy weeknight!
Imagine coming home after a long day and having a hot, homemade meal ready in under 20 minutes. That’s the magic of this One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice. It’s customizable, allowing you to swap in your family’s favorite vegetables or adjust the seasonings to your preference. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a stress-free experience that brings joy to your dinner table without the usual fuss.
Key Ingredients for One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice:
Crafting this quick and flavorful One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice requires a handful of accessible ingredients. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the ability to adapt it based on what you have in your pantry. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Rice: For ultimate speed and convenience in this chicken meal, I highly recommend using instant rice, such as Minute Rice. This type of rice cooks rapidly, ensuring your dinner is ready in a flash. If you prefer, you can use regular white or brown rice, but be sure to adjust the cooking time and liquid amount accordingly, and typically cook it separately before combining.
- Broth: Instead of plain water, using broth infuses your rice with a deeper, richer flavor. You have the flexibility to choose between chicken broth for an enhanced savory profile or vegetable broth for a lighter taste or to keep it more vegetarian-friendly if you were to swap the chicken.
- Oil: A good quality olive oil is my preferred choice for sautéing the vegetables. Its mild flavor complements the other ingredients beautifully. You could also use avocado oil or any other neutral cooking oil you prefer.
- Veggies: To keep things incredibly simple and minimize chopping, a bag of frozen mixed vegetables is a fantastic choice. These often contain a colorful blend of carrots, peas, corn, and green beans, adding both nutrition and visual appeal. However, feel free to use any fresh vegetables you have on hand; just ensure they are chopped to a uniform size for even cooking.
- Onion: Diced yellow onion forms the aromatic base of this dish, adding a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor. A small onion is usually sufficient. Red onion could also be used for a slightly sharper taste.
- Chicken: This is where the “quick” aspect truly shines! It is absolutely crucial to use cooked chicken for this one-pot meal, as the recipe doesn’t account for raw chicken cooking through. Excellent options include canned chicken, a store-bought rotisserie chicken (shredded or diced), or any type of pre-cooked bagged chicken breast. This shortcut is key to getting dinner on the table in minutes.
- Seasoning: A simple yet effective blend of Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper is all you need. Italian seasoning typically includes herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, providing a classic, comforting flavor. Feel free to adjust the salt and pepper to your personal taste.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make this One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice:
Making this delightful one-pan meal is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a quick and satisfying dinner:
Cook the Rice
- Begin by preparing your instant rice. Instead of using water, use chicken broth as the liquid to infuse the rice with extra flavor. Follow the specific instructions provided on your instant rice package in a large pot. This usually involves bringing the broth to a boil, stirring in the rice, covering, and letting it stand off the heat for a few minutes until tender.
Sauté the Veggies
- While the rice is cooking in its separate pot, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the diced yellow onion and the frozen mixed vegetables.
- Sauté the vegetables for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want them to become just tender-crisp, releasing their flavors and slightly softening without becoming mushy. This quick sauté enhances their taste and texture.
Add the Chicken & Seasoning
- Now it’s time to bring in the main protein and flavor. Stir the cooked chicken into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Follow this by adding the Italian seasoning, salt, and a dash of black pepper.
- Continue to cook the mixture for 4–5 minutes, leaving the skillet uncovered. Stir occasionally to ensure everything is thoroughly heated through and the flavors have a chance to meld together beautifully.
Combine & Serve
- Once the chicken and veggies are heated and seasoned, add the freshly cooked instant rice directly into the skillet. Using a spatula, gently stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined and the rice is evenly distributed among the chicken and vegetables.
- Cook for just another 1-2 minutes to ensure all components are heated through and the flavors are fully integrated. Serve this delightful One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice warm and enjoy your quick, delicious, and satisfying meal!
One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice
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Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked instant rice, such as Minute Rice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, any vegetables will work
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 12 oz cooked chicken, canned, rotisserie, or any type of bagged pre-cooked
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- Dash of black pepper
Instructions
Cook the Rice
- Prepare the rice using chicken broth instead of water, following the instructions on the package in a large pot.
Sauté the Veggies
- While the rice cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and frozen vegetables. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until just tender.
Add the Chicken & Seasoning
- Stir in the cooked chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and a dash of pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes, uncovered, until everything is heated through.
Combine & Serve
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir with a spatula to combine. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, then serve warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips for Storing Leftover One-Pan Chicken and Rice:
Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice for days to come. This makes it an excellent meal prep option for lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
Fridge: To store any leftovers, simply transfer them to an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator, where the dish will stay fresh and flavorful for 4-5 days. Make sure to cool the dish completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain quality.
Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. For microwave reheating, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat until thoroughly warm, stirring halfway through. On the stovetop, add a splash of chicken broth or water to a skillet with the leftovers, cover, and heat over medium-low until warmed through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
Essential Tips and Tricks for Making This Flavorful Rice Dinner:
To ensure your One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice turns out perfectly every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:
Choosing the Best Chicken:
The key to the speedy nature of this recipe is using pre-cooked chicken. My go-to is often pre-cooked chicken breasts, which are widely available and very convenient. However, you have several excellent options:
- Rotisserie Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic choice. Simply shred or dice the meat and you’re good to go. It adds incredible flavor with minimal effort.
- Canned Chicken: For ultimate convenience and a long shelf life, canned chicken is a viable option. Just drain it well before adding to the skillet.
- Leftover Cooked Chicken: If you have grilled, baked, or pan-fried chicken from a previous meal, dice it up and repurpose it here. This is a great way to reduce food waste.
- Cooking Fresh Chicken (If Necessary): If you only have raw chicken (like skinless chicken breasts or juicy chicken thighs), you’ll need to cook it completely before adding it to the veggie mixture. Dice the raw chicken into bite-sized pieces and sauté it in a separate pan with a little oil until fully cooked through and no longer pink, then add it to the recipe at the instructed step. This ensures the chicken is safe to eat and maintains the overall quick cooking time of the dish.
Selecting the Right Rice for Speed:
For this incredibly quick chicken dinner, the type of rice you choose is important for achieving that fast cook time. I specifically recommend using:
- Instant Rice (e.g., Minute Rice): This is the ideal choice. Instant rice is parboiled and then dehydrated, meaning it cooks in just a few minutes when rehydrated with hot broth or water. It’s the secret to getting this meal on the table in a flash.
- Parboiled Rice (not instant): While not as quick as instant, regular parboiled rice (often labeled “converted” rice) cooks faster than traditional white rice because it has been partially boiled in its husk. If using this, you might need slightly more liquid and a longer cooking time in a separate pot before combining.
While you can use traditional white or brown rice, be aware that their cooking times are significantly longer and they require more liquid. If opting for these, it’s best to cook them entirely in a separate pot according to package directions before adding them to the skillet with the chicken and vegetables.
Do I need to use cooked rice?
For this specific One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice recipe, you do not need to use *already cooked and chilled* rice (like leftover rice from the fridge). However, you will cook the instant or parboiled rice separately in broth as the first step of the recipe. The emphasis on “one-pan” refers to the chicken and vegetables coming together in one skillet, with the instant rice being prepared quickly alongside it. The chicken, however, must be cooked ahead of time to ensure the recipe’s quick cook time and food safety.
Creative Additions: More Vegetables to Enhance Your Dish:
While a bag of frozen mixed vegetables keeps this recipe super simple, don’t hesitate to experiment with other vegetables to suit your taste or what’s in season. Here are some fantastic ideas to elevate your One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice:
- Fresh or Frozen Broccoli: Florets add a lovely green color and a slight crunch. Add frozen broccoli directly to the skillet with other veggies; fresh broccoli might need an extra minute or two to soften.
- Chopped Large Carrots: Freshly chopped carrots add a sweeter flavor and vibrant color. They are often found in mixed vegetable bags, but you can add extra for more flavor and nutrients.
- Diced Red Onion: Swap the yellow onion for a red onion to introduce a slightly sharper, bolder flavor and a pop of purple color.
- Green Beans: Fresh or frozen green beans are always a great addition, offering a classic texture and taste that pairs well with chicken and rice.
- Bell Peppers: Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers, diced, add sweetness and a beautiful array of colors.
- Spinach or Kale: Wilt in a handful of fresh spinach or chopped kale during the last minute of cooking for an extra boost of greens.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms, sautéed with the onions, add an earthy umami flavor.
- Zucchini or Yellow Squash: Diced summer squash can be added for a light, fresh component, especially delicious during warmer months.
Complementary Side Dish Recipes to Serve:
Pasta Salads
Avocado Corn Salad
Meatless
Potato Salad
Meatless
Classic Side Salad
Oven Baked
Garlic Pull Apart Rolls – Roll Dough Recipe
Quick Links and Resources for Making Dinner Easier:
Empower your cooking journey with these helpful resources designed to simplify meal planning and preparation:
- Stress-Free Family Meal Plans: Discover curated meal plans that take the guesswork out of dinner.
- Essential Kitchen Tools and More: Explore recommended gadgets and accessories that make cooking a breeze.
- The Ultimate Cookbook for Family Dinner Recipes: A collection of tried-and-true recipes for every occasion.
- Claim Your FREE Budget Meal Plan: Get access to cost-effective and delicious meal ideas.
- Watch Our Cooking Videos: Visual guides to help you master new recipes and techniques.
We hope this expanded guide helps you make the most of this fantastic One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice recipe. It’s truly a game-changer for quick, healthy, and delicious weeknight meals.
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