One-Pot Chicken and Rice (Print version)

Tender chicken combined with seasoned rice and mixed vegetables cooked effortlessly in one pot.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups canned chicken breast, drained (about 2 cans)

→ Rice and Grains

02 - 1 1/2 cups uncooked long grain white rice

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 can mixed vegetables, drained (about 15 oz)
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
05 - 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained (about 10 oz)

→ Liquids

06 - 3 cups chicken broth (can use bouillon cubes and water if needed)

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 1 teaspoon paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion if using and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in uncooked rice and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until rice is lightly toasted.
03 - Add drained canned chicken, drained mixed vegetables, and undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies to the pot.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine evenly.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
06 - Fluff rice gently with a fork, adjust seasoning as needed, and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It costs about a dollar per serving and tastes like you spent way more time at the stove than you actually did.
  • Everything goes into one pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor soaking into every grain of rice.
  • It's naturally dairy-free and makes enough to feed a family or give you leftovers that somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • If you don't drain the canned chicken and vegetables thoroughly, you'll end up with mushy rice that breaks your heart—the liquid is already built into your broth calculation.
  • The moment you add the tomatoes is the moment this becomes a real dish, so don't try to skip them thinking they're unnecessary.
03 -
  • Don't skip the toasting step for the rice—those two minutes create a nutty undertone that elevates the entire dish beyond what most people expect from canned ingredients.
  • If your rice seems dry when it's done, you can add a splash more broth and let it steam for another minute, but this rarely happens if you cover the pot properly during cooking.
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