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Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice

Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice is the ultimate weeknight comfort meal. Juicy chicken thighs, fluffy rice, and tender vegetables all cook together in one pot, making it flavorful, cozy, and easy to clean up afterward. It’s a hearty, balanced dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on for best flavor
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
  • 2 cups chicken broth low sodium preferred
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots or fresh, diced
Seasonings
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 lemon for juice and serving wedges

Equipment

  • Large Pot or Deep Skillet

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken thighs, skin-side down, and sear until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
  2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the same pot. Sauté for about 3 minutes, until fragrant and translucent.
  3. Add uncooked rice to the pot and stir for 1 minute to coat the grains with oil and flavor.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and stir in peas, carrots, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Return chicken thighs to the pot, nestling them into the rice mixture. Cover and reduce heat to low.
  6. Simmer for 20–25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
  7. Let rest for 5 minutes, then fluff rice with a fork. Serve hot with lemon wedges or a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

Customize this dish with your favorite veggies like spinach or bell peppers. Add a touch of cayenne or diced jalapeños for heat, or saffron for a golden Arroz Con Pollo twist. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for a month.