One-Pan Chicken and Rice Recipes

One-Pan Chicken and Rice Recipes | 5 Flavorful Dinners with Minimal Cleanup! 🍳

Let’s be real—some nights, you just don’t want to deal with a mountain of dishes. (Or ever, if we’re being honest.) Enter the magic of one-pan chicken and rice recipes—where flavor meets laziness in the best possible way.

I’ve been there: staring into the fridge, willing dinner to cook itself. That’s why I’ve perfected (okay, heavily tested) five foolproof, delicious one-pan meals that require minimal effort and even less cleanup. No fancy skills needed—just a pan, some pantry staples, and the will to eat something amazing.

Ready to ditch the dish pile? Let’s get cooking.

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Why One-Pan Chicken and Rice is the Ultimate Weeknight Win

Before we jump into the recipes, let’s talk about why this combo is a dinner game-changer:

• Fewer dishes = happier you. (Science, probably.)
• Chicken + rice = endless flavor combos. From spicy to savory, you’ll never get bored.
• It’s basically foolproof. Even if you burn toast regularly, these recipes have your back.

Now, onto the good stuff.

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1. Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken & Rice

(AKA: The “Fancy But Actually Easy” Dinner)

Why you’ll love it: Bright, zesty, and packed with fresh herbs—this one tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on for max flavor)
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lemon (zest + juice)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or fresh if you’re feeling ~fancy~)
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Brown the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then sear the thighs skin-side down until golden. Flip, cook another 2 mins, then set aside.
2. Sauté the garlic. In the same pan, melt butter, add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds (don’t let it burn—nobody likes bitter garlic).
3. Add rice & liquids. Stir in rice, broth, lemon zest, juice, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Nestle the chicken back in. Cover and simmer for 20-25 mins until rice is fluffy and chicken is cooked through.
5. Garnish & devour. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and pretend you’re at a Mediterranean bistro.

Pro Tip: If you’re extra lazy, skip the browning step. It’ll still taste great—just slightly less crispy.

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2. Creamy Mushroom & Spinach Chicken and Rice

(AKA: Comfort Food Without the Guilt)

Why you’ll love it: Creamy, dreamy, and packed with veggies so you can pretend it’s healthy.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half if you’re lightening it up)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Sauté onions & garlic. In your trusty pan, cook onions until soft, then add garlic and mushrooms.
2. Brown the chicken. Push veggies to the side, add diced chicken, and cook until no longer pink.
3. Add rice & liquids. Stir in rice, broth, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 15 mins.
4. Stir in cream & spinach. Once rice is tender, add spinach and cream. Let it wilt, then serve.

Bonus: This tastes even better as leftovers—if it lasts that long.

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3. Spicy Cajun Chicken & Rice

(AKA: The “I Need Flavor NOW” Meal)

Why you’ll love it: Bold, smoky, and just the right amount of heat. Perfect for when you want dinner to wake you up.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• ½ onion, diced
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or DIY)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional, but recommended)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

How to Make It:

1. Season & sear the chicken. Coat thighs in Cajun seasoning, then sear in oil until crispy. Set aside.
2. Sauté veggies. In the same pan, cook onions, peppers, and garlic until soft.
3. Add rice & liquids. Stir in rice, broth, paprika, and hot sauce.
4. Return chicken to the pan. Cover and cook for 20-25 mins.

FYI: This pairs perfectly with a cold beer. Just saying.

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4. Teriyaki Chicken & Pineapple Rice

(AKA: Tropical Vibes in a Pan)

Why you’ll love it: Sweet, sticky, and a little bit tropical—like a vacation for your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 cup rice
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• ½ cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp ginger, grated

How to Make It:

1. Cook the chicken. Sear sliced chicken in oil until browned, then set aside.
2. Sauté peppers & ginger. Add peppers and ginger to the pan, cook for 2 mins.
3. Add rice, liquids, & pineapple. Stir in rice, broth, teriyaki, and soy sauce.
4. Simmer & serve. Cover for 20 mins, then fluff rice and mix in chicken.

Pro Tip: Grill the pineapple first if you want extra caramelized goodness.

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5. Cheesy Broccoli Chicken & Rice

(AKA: The Ultimate Comfort Food)

Why you’ll love it: It’s basically a hug in pan form. Cheesy, creamy, and loaded with broccoli (for balance, obviously).

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Cook chicken & rice. Brown chicken, then add rice and broth. Cover and simmer for 15 mins.
2. Add broccoli. Stir in broccoli, cover, and cook another 5 mins.
3. Mix in cheese & milk. Once rice is done, stir in cheese and milk until melted and creamy.

Warning: You will fight over the crispy cheese bits at the bottom of the pan.

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Final Thoughts: One Pan to Rule Them All

There you have it—five ridiculously easy, flavor-packed one-pan chicken and rice dinners that’ll save your weeknights. No stacks of dishes, no complicated steps—just good food, fast.

Which one are you trying first? (I’m betting on the Cajun or the cheesy broccoli. No judgment.)

Happy cooking, and even happier cleaning (or lack thereof)! 🍗🔥