If you are looking for a easy, customizable 1 Pot meal– today I am sharing my secret formula to making the perfect 1 pot chicken and rice! I personally love this because it is an easy all-in-one pot meal: vegetables, carbs, and protein. Plus, you can add whatever vegetables you want to use up produce you have hanging in your fridge, or whatever fun combination you want to try! The beauty of this formula is that it is so flexible– you can add whatever seasonings and vegetables you want to make endless chicken and rice dishes!

1 Pot Chicken and Rice Formula

• 2 tbsp oil
• 4 chicken thighs
• seasonings as desired for chicken
• vegetables as desired, chopped
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup white rice
• 2 ½ cups liquid (water, bone broth, stock, etc)

1. To a heavy bottom dutch oven, heat over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes. Add oil and let heat for an additional minute.
2. Pat dry chicken thighs. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and desired seasonings. Once seasoned, add to the bottom of the dutch oven, not allowing overlap of chicken. Let cook (no moving it!!) for 4-5 minutes, then cook the other side for an additional 4-5 minutes. (Don’t worry about it not being cooked all the way through yet). Remove chicken from pot and set aside on a plate.
3. To the dutch oven, add in your desired vegetables. Season with a bit of salt. Stirring occasionally, cook for about 3-4 minutes. Then add butter and rice stirring frequently for an additional 1-2 minutes.
4. Next add your liquid and use your spatula to scrape any caramelized bits of chicken off the bottom of the pan. Increase heat and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add chicken thighs on top and add lid. Decrease heat to low and let cook for about 25-30 minutes.
5. After about 25-30 minutes, the liquid should all be absorbed. Stir and serve with desired toppings.

Tips and Notes

• If you are adding vegetables that are a bit more watery such as zucchini or tomatoes, I recommend decreasing the amount of liquid you add to 2 1/4 cups.
• I really like using chicken bone broth for this recipe for the added health benefits, but you can alternatively do just water! You can also experiment adding things like white wine, beef broth, or reducing the amount you add initially and then stir in some heavy cream at the end.
• If you add garlic, don’t add it until you add in the butter and toast the rice or else it may burn.

1 Pot Chicken and Rice Flavor Ideas

• Mediterranean Chicken and Rice (add zucchini and tomatoes, top with feta and olives at the end)
• Caprese Chicken and Rice (tomatoes and spinach and add fresh basil and mozzarella at the end
• Mexican Chicken and Rice (add corn and bell pepper, season chicken with taco seasoning)
• Marry Me Chicken and Rice (add sun dried tomatoes and spinach, stir in some heavy cream at the end)
• Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice (add broccoli and stir in shredded cheddar cheese at the end)

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