We affectionately call One Pot Chicken and Rice “gruel” at my house.
“KIDS!” I’ll yell at dinnertime, “Come get yer gruel!” and they come running. What can I say, it makes me laugh and it’s the little things.
Part risotto (without all the stirring) and part soup, this creamy chicken and rice recipe is simple, comforting, and made entirely in one pot with fridge and pantry staples. And lucky for you and me — it tastes nothing like gruel!
Watch How to Make It!
Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Meal
- It’s easy. Toss everything into a soup pot and let it simmer while you stir here and there. Minimal work, maximum reward.
- It’s cozy. This creamy chicken and rice lands somewhere between brothy soup and creamy risotto — minus the tedious stirring — aka it’s cozy and soul satisfying comfort food.
- It’s wallet-friendly. This is a greal meal to stretch a package of chicken breasts and feed a large family. If you’re looking for more budget-friendly chicken recipes, check out my Gluten Free on a Budget ebook!
- It reheats well. This recipe makes a ton, but leftovers heat up very well for lunch or dinner the next day.
- It’s family-friendly. I have three little kids so we’re still a little ways out from our adventurous-eating era. That said, this easy chicken recipe is full of comforting, familiar flavors that everyone young and old will enjoy!
What’s in Chicken and Rice?
Raid the fridge and pantry for the everyday ingredients you’ll need to make this easy, one pot recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter. To saute the carrots and add a bit of luxuriousness to the dish at the end. Feel free to use vegan butter as a dairy-free alternative.
- Carrots. Slice up baby carrots, peel then chop a couple large carrots, or go the easy route and use shredded carrots.
- Homemade seasoned salt. My four ingredient, homemade seasoned salt is responsible for adding a ton of flavor to this recipe. It’s a simple yet effective combo of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Long grain white rice. This recipe is flexible but I do ask that you use high quality, long grain white rice like jasmine or basmati rice vs instant rice or a lower quality rice which can become mushy. I love Lundberg Farms Jasmine White Rice.
- Dried minced onion and garlic. We’re going with the dried versions to keep this dish easy!
- Parsley flakes. Anyone else remember the boxed chicken noodle soup mix with the golden egg flavor ball? I always loved the dried parsley flakes in that soup which is why I add it here. A simple way to add color and flavor.
- Chicken stock. Since this recipe calls for such few ingredients, I recommend you use chicken stock vs chicken broth — homemade, if you can swing it! Here’s my Instant Pot recipe for Homemade Chicken Stock.
- Chicken. Diced boneless skinless chicken breasts are dropped into the hot broth about halfway through the cooking process. No extra sauting step needed.
Variations on Chicken and Rice
As you can see from the robust comment section on this post, this easy chicken dinner has been a reader favorite for years and years. That said, here are a few reader favorite variations on my base recipe:
- Swap in rotisserie chicken. If you have shredded rotisserie chicken on hand, stir in 1-1/2 cups pre-cooked, shredded chicken at the end to warm through.
- Use fresh garlic and onion. Use freshly chopped onion and garlic instead of the dried versions. I recommend 1/2 chopped yellow onion or 1 chopped shallot, and 3 pressed or minced fresh garlic cloves (or 4 if you’re a garlic lover like me!)
- Make it vegetarian. Use vegetable stock or broth instead of chicken stock, and omit the chicken to make this dish vegetarian. Use these swaps PLUS use dairy-free butter to make it vegan.
- Add more veggies. Pump up the veggies by sauting sliced celery, sliced mushrooms, and/or frozen corn in with the carrots, and/or stir in frozen peas at the end.
- Add a parmesan cheese rind. This is one of my favorite hacks for adding slow-cooked flavor to quick-cooking soups, especially — drop a parmesan cheese rind into the pot with the chicken stock then let it simmer with the dish. Remove before serving. You will be SHOCKED by how much flavor it adds!
What to Serve with Chicken and Rice
Not only do I love this meal because it’s made in just one pot, but also because it’s a complete meal in one with veggies, a starch, and protein — aka the Midwestern dinner trifecta. No extra side dishes necessary. That said, if you want to fill up your dinner table a bit more, here are some side dish ideas:
- Gluten Free Focaccia Bread
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Everyday Kale Salad
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Marinated Vegetable Salad
- Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms
Chicken and Rice Recipe FAQ
Like I said, many, MANY people have made and loved this recipe over the years, which I am so grateful for!! Here are a few questions that have popped up more than once:
- Can I use brown rice? You can, but you will need to add more broth to the recipe, and simmer the rice longer. The chicken will still only need 7-10 minutes to cook through so plan accordingly.
- Can I use arborio rice? This recipe will not work as written with arborio rice.
- Can I use fresh onion and garlic? Absolutely! I recommend 1/2 chopped yellow onion or 1 chopped shallot, and 3-4 pressed or minced fresh garlic cloves.
- Can I freeze leftovers? I don’t recommend freezing cooked rice-based dishes as they can become mushy once thawed and reheated.
- Can I make this in the crock pot or my Instant Pot / pressure cooker? My experience with cooking rice in a slow cooker has not been positive, and extensive additional testing would be required to confidently recommend the best timing/method for cooking this recipe in an Instant Pot. If you’ve tried it, let us know in the comments section!
In the meantime, grab your soup pot, turn on the burner, and let’s cook!
How to Make One Pot Chicken and Rice
Step 1: Add sliced or shredded carrots to melted butter in a soup pot over medium heat then season to taste with homemade seasoned salt and pepper. Place a lid on top then cook until the carrots are tender, 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
You can use a stock pot, a Dutch Oven, or large soup pot – whatever you’ve got on hand.
Step 2: Add long grain white rice, dried minced onion, and dried minced garlic then stir to coat the rice in the butter and saute for one minute.
Again, use the highest quality rice you can afford, or the dish can turn out mushy. I am 100% brand loyal to Lundberg rice!
Step 3: Add dried parsley and chicken stock to the pot then bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to ensure the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Turn the heat down to medium-low then simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Season chicken breasts that have been chopped into bite-sized pieces with seasoned salt and pepper then add to the soup pot and continue to simmer until the rice is al dente and the chicken is cooked through, 7-10 additional minutes.
Step 5: Remove the pot from the heat then place a lid on top and let it sit for 5 minutes. Finally, stir in more butter (follow your heart!) then taste and season with additional seasoned salt and pepper if desired.
The dish will thicken as it cools, and you can taste the flavor much better when the chicken and rice is warm vs piping hot, so I like to let the pot sit uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or so before scooping into bowls and serving.
Storing and Reheating
Scoop leftover Chicken and Rice into an airtight container, or individual sized storage containers then refrigerate. I don’t recommend freezing this dish. Even high quality cooked rice has the potential to become mushy once thawed and reheated from the freezer.
I recommend you reheat in individual sized portions. Simply scoop the cold chicken and rice into a bowl from the refrigerator then reheat in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between increments until warmed through.
Whether you make One Pot Chicken and Rice as written, or give it your own spin, I hope you love it as much as we do! Enjoy!
More Easy Family Favorites
- Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
- Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
- Easy Chicken and Rice Soup
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
- Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Skillet
- Easy Chicken Fried Rice
- Baked Chicken Thighs
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One Pot Chicken and Rice
Description
One-Pot Chicken and Rice is part soup, part risotto, and wholly comforting. Your family will ask for this easy yet irresistable gluten free dinner recipe again and again.
Ingredients
- 4 - 6 Tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 heaping cup shredded or chopped carrots (from 1 cup baby carrots or 2 large carrots)
- homemade seasoned salt and pepper (see notes)
- 2 scant cups long grain white rice (I like Lundberg White Jasmine Rice)
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley flakes
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 2 small chicken breasts (14oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
Directions
- Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add carrots, season to taste with seasoned salt and pepper, then place a lid on top and cook until carrots are tender, 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add rice, dried onions and dried garlic then stir to coat in butter and saute for 1 minute. Add dried parsley and chicken stock then turn heat up to high to bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to ensure the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot as it comes to a boil.
- Turn heat down to medium-low then simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season chicken with a sprinkle of seasoned salt and pepper then add to the pot, turning the heat up slightly to bring it back up to a bubble if necessary. Turn the heat back down to medium-low then continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through and rice is al dente, 7-10 more minutes, stirring occasionally and more frequently near the end.
- Place a lid on top of the pot then remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 - 4 Tablespoons butter (however much you like!) then taste and add more seasoned salt and pepper if necessary. Scoop into bowls then serve. Note: dish will thicken as it cools and I prefer the flavor better when it's warm vs piping hot.
- Leave a comment and star rating if you loved the recipe! Thank you for considering!
Notes
- To avoid ending up with mush, use good quality rice - no Minute Rice, please! I use Lundberg California White Jasmine Rice.
- Click here for my 4-ingredient homemade seasoned salt recipe. Note: you will NOT use this entire recipe in the Chicken and Rice recipe. Use in the same quantity that you would use regular salt.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Deb F 12.24.2023
Made this for the first time today and it’s a big hit! Your seasoned salt gives this dish just the right oomph. Thank you for yet another easy, delicious keeper recipe!
Kristin 12.27.2023
My pleasure, Deb! So glad you enjoy both recipes. :)
maria m 12.24.2023
I have made this several time and has always been delicious. Such comfort food. Making it today for some of our family that has the flu (worst time ever). Merry Christmas to everyone.
Kristin 12.27.2023
You are so sweet to do that, Maria – I feel like I know dozens of people down and out with some sort of crud right now. Stay well!
KB 12.23.2023
We found out tonight that my dad has advanced leukemia, and we are removing his life support tomorrow. I made this meal for comfort. Unfortunately, the dried parsley made it inedible and grainy. I will use fresh parsley in the future.
Kristin 12.24.2023
I’m so sorry to hear this, KB, my heart goes out to you and your family.
CaliGirlEats 12.21.2023
This was absurdly easy and delicious. I’ve only rated/commented on one other recipe in my life, about 15 years ago, but i had to come on and say how yummy and comforting and delicious this is! I followed the recipe exactly, only adding a sprinkle of turmeric to the stock to give it a little more of a yellow color. My two adult sons and i ate THE ENTIRE POT. Thank you for sharing!
Kristin 12.22.2023
I LOVE that!! So, so glad this recipe was a slam dunk for you and your family!! Thanks so much for your feedback!
Amy 12.14.2023
Have you had any luck doubling the recipe?
Amy 12.14.2023
After making it I realized I wouldn’t have a pot big enough to double :). I think I had this thought the first time I made it as well. It’s so delicious, comforting and really feels like a chicken soup hug without the noodles. And it feels more like 8 servings vs. 6. Does it freeze well?
Kristin 12.15.2023
I’m so glad you loved the recipe, Amy!! Thanks so much for your feedback. :) I don’t find that cooked rice thaws very well so I don’t recommend freezing this recipe!
Dee 12.13.2023
Great recipe. So much potential. The measurements were spot on. I didn’t add the butter at the end however. I did add celery. I will definitely make it again with another vegetable and rice variation. Carrots and peas with wild rice sounds great. Thank you for sharing your Iowa Girl Eats! Keep em coming.
Kristin 12.14.2023
So glad you enjoyed, Dee! I appreciate your feedback!
Lia Keller 12.12.2023
I made one pot as written for my family and a vegetarian version for myself. I used tofu and zucchini to replace the chicken, but otherwise the same. LOVED IT – if you use tofu, you might have to add in a bit more liquid if you want it more “soupy”.
Andrea 12.11.2023
I really wanted to enjoy this but I found it extremely bland. It was alright, but more something I would crave if I was under the weather, not something I’d make for a weekday meal. I used fresh garlic, fresh onion and I added celery and it was still far too tasteless for my liking. Nothing wrong with the recipe, just not for me.
Kristin 12.12.2023
I’m so sorry to hear that, Andrea! Did you use the seasoned salt?
Amy 12.24.2023
Just made this and it is delicious! Thought it would seem like it was missing something without cheese, but its great. Nutrition info would be nice
Kristin 12.27.2023
I’m thrilled this dish was a hit, Amy! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Ashley 12.04.2023
Love the recipe! The link to your salt and pepper is not working in either location you have listed it on the page. Are you able to list out the recipe. I’ve cooked this before and feel this is a staple to the recipe! Thanks
Kristin 12.04.2023
Sorry about that, Ashley! Are both links working for you now?
Austen 11.30.2023
This looks delicious!…but I have a question…does it really require a 4-1 stock to rice ratio? Or is the rice meant to be a little mushier, a little more stew-ier? I guess I am asking…what texture of rice are you aiming for here? Thanks!!
Kristin 12.01.2023
Hey Austin, the rice is creamy but not mushy or overcooked. I’ve made this recipe dozens of times as written with the dish coming out as it does in the photos and video. Feel free to play around with the rice to stock ratio if you’d like though!
Peggy wright 11.29.2023
Great recipe! I’ll make it again and again. Thanks so much!
Kristin 12.01.2023
Awesome!! So glad to hear it, Peggy. :) Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Vanessa P 11.28.2023
This was so easy and soooo tasty! Will definitely be a regular on our fall/winter rotation.
Kristin 12.01.2023
I’m thrilled to hear that, Vanessa! So glad you enjoyed. :)
Sharayah 11.26.2023
I tried this and used leftover thanksgiving chicken and added some celery and mushrooms. It turned out really good!
Kristin 11.28.2023
That sounds fantastic, and easy peasy, Sharayah! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Dee 11.26.2023
Very tasty will make again
Ty
Kristin 11.28.2023
I’m thrilled to hear that, Dee!
Sarah 11.25.2023
I have made this recipe a few times and it’s great! It makes SO MUCH. Do you know how long I can freeze it for?
Kristin 11.28.2023
Hi Sarah! I actually don’t recommend freezing cooked white rice, as it can become mushy when thawing/reheating. That said, this recipe can definitely be halved or quartered before making!
Krystal 11.19.2023
This has become a family favorite . My son even requested it for his birthday dinner . It’s so simple to make and we’ve adapted it for the insta pot so it goes quickly . We love the leftovers as well !
Kristin 11.20.2023
Oh I love hearing that, Krystal! So glad this recipe is a hit with the whole family. Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Sarah 11.30.2023
Please can you share how you adapted it for the instant pot?! I have a ninja foodi and feel like this could make a brilliant dump and go recipe.
Krystal 01.20.2024
We use the ingredients and amounts listed but put it in the instant all at once for around 13 minutes and then add the butter when it’s finished
Kristin 01.21.2024
Thanks Krystal!
Laurel 11.15.2023
So delicious. I make chicken rice soup often but a spicier, hearty version. I loved this for its soft comfort. Family loved it.
Kristin 11.20.2023
I’m so glad you loved this dish, Laurel!
Allison Leonard 11.07.2023
Tried this tonight (finally!) after bookmarking it months ago. It’s absolutely fabulous! Sinfully delicious, thank you so much.
Tony Donofrio 11.01.2023
I made this tonight! It’s a quick and easy recipe for family dinner, with leftovers for tomorrow. The carrots looked lonely so I added a cup of peas to the pot and it turned out great.I over-salted it though (my fault), by not taking into account the saltiness of the stock. I should have tasted it before adding salt.Thanks!
Kristin 11.02.2023
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Tony, and oversalting is an easy thing to do. I really appreciate your feedback and recipe rating!
Jason Adams 10.24.2023
Super delicious!! Added the onions and celery and carrots. Absolutely amazing.
Kristin 10.26.2023
I’m so glad you loved the recipe, Jason!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!