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!
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.
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.
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!
One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner
This One Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner cooks all together with minimal prep work, and the result is a delicious, comforting meal!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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
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
This sounds delicious! Do you cover the dish as you allow the rice to cook in the last 25-30 minutes? I’d like to try this soon for my family. Thank you!
Hi Brea, yes – cover the dish. Hope you enjoy!
We loved this meal. So simple and yummy. Definitely a keeper for us.
Thank you Loretta. Glad you all liked it too!
If you’re wanting to use this as a meal prep. Could you pack it for a week?
Do you think this would work without the cream? My 3-yr-old has a dairy allergy, but this looks delicious! Wondering if I could try it without…
Yes, should be fine without the cream. Enjoy!
Thank you so much for your speedy reply! Awesome! Can’t wait to try it! 🙂
Just made this dish … It was delicious 😋 … Had to cook rice about 45 minutes but everything turned out great …
Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed this recipe, Karla. Have a wonderful weekend!
Could you use this recipe with bone in thighs instead?
Yes, that would be delicious! Enjoy!
Delicious! I added sautéed fresh mushrooms with onion and celery. Don’t have heavy cream so I used 1/2 cup half and half and reduced water accordingly. Will definitely make again.
Thank you, Kathleen!
Love the recipe, it is delicious. My kids and I love it. I always need more rice though. So I would like to know how much water and heavy cream to use for 3 boxes of rice.
Can you use chicken broth/stock instead of water?
Delicious. I used bone-in with skin on thighs and then cooked up fresh mushrooms in the chicken drippings before adding in the rice and cream and the browned . chicken. The asparagus packet is a clever idea, but I love mine roasted in the oven at 425 with olive oil and salt and pepper.