One Pot Chicken and Rice
One-pot chicken and rice is the kind of dinner my mom would have blessed, one pan, little fuss, all comfort. Rice and chicken are the backbone of so much of how I grew up eating, so this all-in-one version feels like a busy-night translation of those flavors. With both my parents working restaurant hours, a meal that practically cooked itself was a gift, and I carried that love of easy, honest dinners into my own home. Make it on a night you do not have much left to give. It asks for almost nothing and gives back a whole lot of cozy.
This One Pot Chicken and Rice is a comforting, Mexican-inspired meal made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a rich tomato-garlic broth. It’s an easy, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in one pan with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 4 small chicken thighs
- 2 chicken drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ white onion sliced
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves
- ¼ white onion for blending
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 2 carrots chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken1. Pat the chicken thighs and drumsticks dry. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Sear the chicken2. In a medium deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat.3. Add the chicken pieces and sear until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the aromatics & rice 4. In the same pot, add the sliced onion and cook until translucent.5. Stir in the rice and cook for 2–3 minutes, letting it lightly toast in the oil.
- Make the tomato blend 6. In a blender, combine Roma tomatoes, garlic cloves, onion, chicken bouillon, tomato bouillon, and chicken broth. Blend until smooth.
- Combine everything 7. Pour the blended mixture into the pot with the rice. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.8. Add chopped carrots, cilantro, and return the chicken pieces to the pot.
- Simmer & cook 9. Once it comes to a simmer, cover the pot with a lid. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for about 25–30 minutes, until the rice is fluffy and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve 10. Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with extra cilantro if desired, and serve warm.