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One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner on a large serving plate, with a wooden spoon next to it.

Calling all ONE POT dinner lovers – this one is for you! My One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner is the perfect busy weeknight dinner solution. Everything cooks in one pot, and your kitchen sink will thank you for not making very many dirty dishes in the process. This is one of those semi-homemade favorites around here. I take a shortcut by using a Rice-A-Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice boxed rice. I have honestly tried making my own homemade version to copycat my family’s beloved Rice-A-Roni, but they always tell me not quite right Mom, just please use the box!

One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner on a large serving plate, sitting next to some plates, forks and a glass.

I like to get my boneless, skinless chicken thighs from Trader Joe’s. The free-range, organic variety are good quality and well-trimmed and I have found that this does make a difference when it comes to chicken thighs, and I don’t mind spending extra money on them when they are already a very inexpensive cut of meat.

One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner on a large serving plate, with some plates, forks and a glass in the background.

After the chicken thighs are seared on both sides (be sure to get them nice and brown), remove them from the pan, add two boxes of rice, seasoning packets, water, and heavy cream. Go ahead, just do it 🙂 Bring it to a boil, add the chicken back into the pot, and then place a foil packet with asparagus right on top of the chicken. As the chicken finishes cooking through, the rice absorbs that rich, creamy sauce, and the asparagus will be just tender crisp.

One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner on a large serving plate, sitting next to some plates, forks, a glass and a wooden spoon.

Dinner is done!

This really is a weeknight staple for us. We usually have it on Mondays because I can make it quickly after we finish piano lessons in the afternoon. Everyone around here loves it, and I think you will too!

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Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #lovelylittlekitchen

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One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews

Author: Julie
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Yield: 5 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

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Description

This One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner cooks all together with minimal prep work, and the result is a delicious, comforting meal!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Asparagus Packet

1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed off
1 tablespoon oil (I used avocado oil)
salt and pepper

For the Chicken and Rice

1 tablespoon oil (I used avocado oil)
5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
salt and pepper
2 boxes wild rice blend with seasoning packet (I used Rice-A-Roni)
2 1/3 cup water
1/4 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

Place trimmed asparagus on a large piece of foil. Drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat. Fold foil around asparagus to enclose. Set aside.
Heat oil over high heat in a large, heavy bottomed pot. Trim excess fat off chicken thighs, pat dry with a paper towel, and season both sides with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the hot oil, and sear both sides for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Don’t move them around in the pan, just let a crust form so they don’t stick.
Remove the chicken from the pot, and add the rice, seasoning packets, water, and heavy cream. Stir together and bring to a boil. Then add the chicken back into the pot.
Add the foil packet on top of the chicken and cover the pot with a lid. Turn the heat down to low so the liquid is gently simmering.
Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove the foil packet and unfold carefully as hot steam may escape. Serve the chicken over the rice with the asparagus.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 543
Sugar: 2.5g
Sodium: 1037mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 7.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 16.3g
Trans Fat: 1.1g
Carbohydrates: 47g
Fiber: 2.8g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 150mg