Description
This comforting One Pot Chicken and Rice recipe combines tender chicken breast, fragrant long grain white rice, and savory carrots all cooked together in flavorful chicken stock. With minimal cleanup and a rich, buttery finish, this hearty dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that serves six.
Ingredients
Butter
- 4 – 6 Tablespoons butter or vegan butter (divided)
Vegetables
- 1 heaping cup shredded or chopped carrots
Seasonings
- Homemade seasoned salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley flakes
Grains and Liquids
- 2 scant cups long grain white rice (Lundberg White Jasmine Rice recommended)
- 8 cups chicken stock
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts (~1 lb, cut into bite-sized pieces, not hunks)
Instructions
- Saute veggies: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the shredded or chopped carrots and season with homemade seasoned salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pot with a lid and cook until the carrots are tender, about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook rice: Add the rice, dried minced onion, and dried minced garlic to the pot. Stir to coat the rice in the butter and sauté for about 1 minute to toast the ingredients slightly. Then add the dried parsley flakes and chicken stock. Turn the heat up to high to bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with seasoned salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the pot, increase the heat slightly to bring back to a gentle simmer if needed, then turn the heat back down to medium-low. Continue simmering for another 7-10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the rice is al dente, stirring occasionally and more frequently near the end to avoid sticking.
- Serve: Stir in the remaining 2 to 4 tablespoons of butter, adding as much as you prefer for richness. Adjust seasoning with additional seasoned salt and pepper if necessary. Let the dish sit for 5 minutes off the heat to thicken and cool slightly. Then scoop into bowls and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute vegan butter to make this recipe dairy-free.
- Ensure chicken pieces are bite-sized for even cooking and tenderness.
- Using homemade seasoned salt enhances flavor, but store-bought seasoned salt and fresh pepper work as well.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like peas or corn during the simmering step for variation.
- Letting the dish sit after cooking allows the rice to firm up slightly for a better texture.