10+ Chicken and Rice Recipes to Spice Up Your Weeknight Dinners

Chicken and rice recipes are easy to make and work for many meals. They use simple ingredients you likely have in your kitchen.

These recipes offer comfort and nutrition in one dish.

You can cook chicken and rice in many ways, from quick one-pot meals to baked casseroles. These dishes are versatile and easy to adapt to your tastes or what you have at home.

They work well for busy days or when you need to feed a group.

Ingredients:

• Chicken (breasts, tenders, or thighs)
• Rice (white or instant)
• Broth or water
• Onion
• Celery or other vegetables
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, and soup mixes or cream soups for casseroles)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cut chicken into pieces if needed.
2. Heat oil in a pan and brown the chicken.
3. Add rice and vegetables.
4. Pour in broth or water and seasonings.
5. Cover and cook until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
6. For casseroles, mix ingredients in a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) until done.

1) My Mom’s One-Pot Chicken and Rice

This one-pot chicken and rice recipe is simple and uses basic ingredients. Everything cooks together in one pot for easy cooking and cleanup.

The chicken stays tender as it cooks with the rice and vegetables. You only need frozen chicken tenders, celery, onion, and a few pantry staples.

You’ll get a warm, filling meal without spending much time in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 pound frozen boneless, skinless chicken tenders
• 3 celery ribs, roughly chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 6 cups water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ½ cups rice

Cooking Instructions

1. Add water, salt, celery, and onion to a large pot.
2. Bring to a boil, then add chicken tenders.
3. Simmer for about 10 minutes until chicken is mostly cooked.
4. Stir in rice, cover, and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes.
5. Check rice is tender and chicken is cooked through before serving.

See more about this one-pot recipe at My Mom’s One-Pot Chicken and Rice.

2) Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole is easy and comforting. It uses chicken, rice, and cream of chicken soup for a simple meal.

The rice cooks in the casserole and soaks up the flavors from the chicken and soup. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

This casserole is a classic home-cooked dish.

Ingredients

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 2 cups instant white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup butter, sliced into pats

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spread uncooked rice evenly in a casserole dish.
3. Place chicken cubes on top of the rice.
4. Mix water and cream of chicken soup, then pour over the chicken and rice.
5. Dot butter slices evenly over the top.
6. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
7. Bake for about 1 hour or until the chicken is fully cooked and rice is tender.
8. Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes for a light golden top.

3) Marry Me Chicken and Rice

Marry Me Chicken and Rice is easy to make in one pan. The chicken cooks with spices like oregano, thyme, and garlic.

As the chicken simmers with rice and chicken stock, the rice absorbs all the flavors. You can have this meal ready in about 30 minutes.

Sundried tomatoes and tomato paste add a rich taste.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 oz sundried tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup rice
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt, oregano, and thyme.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and brown chicken on both sides.
3. Add garlic, tomato paste, and sundried tomatoes. Stir for 1-2 minutes.
4. Pour in chicken stock and add rice.
5. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked and rice is tender.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

For more details, you can check this Marry Me Chicken and Rice recipe.

4) Tiffy Cooks’ One-Pot Chicken and Rice

You can make a chicken and rice meal in one pot. The chicken stays juicy while the rice absorbs the flavors from the chicken oil.

This recipe saves time and reduces cleanup. You will cook the chicken with spices like turmeric, paprika, and cumin for extra flavor.

Then, the rice cooks in the same pot with the chicken juices. You can add vegetables or extra spices if you like.

It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

• Chicken pieces (thighs or breasts)
• Rice
• Turmeric
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Salt
• Pepper
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chicken broth or water

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, turmeric, paprika, and cumin.
2. Heat oil in a pot and fry chicken for about 4 minutes on each side.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Add onion and garlic to the pot, cook until soft.
5. Add rice and stir for 1-2 minutes with the onion and garlic.
6. Pour in chicken broth or water, then place chicken on top.
7. Cover and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.

5) Chicken and Rice with Onion Soup Mix

This chicken and rice recipe is simple and full of flavor. Dry onion soup mix adds taste without much effort.

Combine chicken breasts, uncooked rice, and soups in a baking dish for an easy meal. The onion soup mix gives the dish a savory taste that pairs well with creamy soups like cream of mushroom or cream of chicken.

You don’t need to stir while it bakes. The rice absorbs the broth and flavors, making it soft and delicious by the time the chicken is done.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 1 packet dry onion soup mix
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth or water

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a baking dish, mix rice, onion soup mix, soups, and chicken broth.
3. Place chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture.
4. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
5. Check chicken for doneness and let rest a few minutes before serving.

For more details, see this onion soup mix chicken and rice recipe.

6) Turmeric Chicken Thighs with Rice

Turmeric chicken thighs with rice is a tasty and easy meal. You start by searing the chicken thighs until golden brown.

Then, cook the rice with turmeric and coconut milk for extra flavor. The dish comes together in one pot, making cleanup simple.

You can add greens or spices like ginger for more nutrition. Turmeric gives the rice a bright color and a warm, mild taste.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 cup rice
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon ginger (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat a pot over medium heat and brown the chicken thighs on both sides.
2. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Add rice, turmeric, coconut milk, water, salt, pepper, and ginger to the pot.
4. Place chicken back on top.
5. Cover and simmer on low for 35-40 minutes.
6. Check that chicken is cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
7. Serve hot.

For more details, you can see One-Pot Chicken Thighs with Turmeric-Coconut Rice & Greens.

7) Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

Oven baked chicken and rice is a simple meal you can make with just one dish. Season chicken thighs and place them on top of rice in a baking pan.

As the dish bakes, the rice soaks up the juices from the chicken. This makes the rice flavorful and moist.

Prep usually takes less than 10 minutes. Add some butter or oil, garlic, and your favorite spices.

Bake everything together in the oven until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender. You can change the spices or add vegetables to make it your own.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: paprika, thyme, or parsley

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix rice, chicken broth, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper in a baking dish.
3. Place chicken thighs on top of the rice.
4. Season chicken with your favorite spices.
5. Cover dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
6. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes to brown the chicken.
7. Check that chicken is cooked through before serving.

For more details, you can check this oven baked chicken and rice recipe.

8) One Pan Chicken and Garlic Rice

You can make a simple and tasty meal with one pan. This dish uses chicken flavored with garlic, thyme, and paprika.

The chicken cooks on top of fluffy rice. The rice soaks up all the flavors.

This recipe saves time because you cook everything in one pan. It’s great for a warm, comforting meal without much cleanup.

The garlic and herbs add aroma and taste to both the chicken and rice. You can use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs for juiciness.

The rice absorbs the chicken juices and spices. Each bite becomes flavorful.

Ingredients

• 4-6 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
• 1 ½ cups long-grain rice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium heat.
3. Season chicken with salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika.
4. Brown chicken on both sides. Remove chicken from pan.
5. Add garlic to the pan. Cook until fragrant.
6. Stir in rice. Pour in chicken stock.
7. Place chicken on top of the rice.
8. Cover pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.

9) Herbed Chicken Thighs with Long Grain Rice

You’ll enjoy the simple flavors of herbed chicken thighs with fluffy long grain rice. The herbs add a fresh, savory touch.

The chicken thighs cook with the rice in one pan. The juices and herbs soak into the rice.

You can use herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Season the chicken well and roast until the skin is crispy and the rice is tender.

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• ¾ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub chicken thighs with olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
3. Place rice and chicken broth in a baking dish. Stir in parsley.
4. Arrange chicken on top of the rice.
5. Roast for 35–40 minutes until chicken is cooked through and skin is crispy.
6. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

10) Mushroom and Garlic Butter Chicken Rice

This recipe brings together tender chicken, savory mushrooms, and garlic butter for a cozy meal. You cook everything in one dish, making prep and cleanup easy.

The garlic butter adds deep flavor to the rice and mushrooms. The chicken stays juicy as it bakes with the rice.

You can bake the dish in the oven at 375°F (190°C). This method cooks the rice evenly and keeps the chicken tender.

Ingredients

• Chicken pieces
• Mushrooms
• Garlic
• Butter
• Rice
• Onion
• Lemon
• Seasoning (salt, pepper, herbs)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Sauté mushrooms, garlic, and onion in butter until they become soft.
3. Add rice to the pan and mix it with the garlic butter and mushrooms.
4. Place the rice mixture in a baking dish.
5. Arrange the chicken on top of the rice.
6. Season everything and squeeze lemon over it.
7. Cover the dish with foil.
8. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the rice is tender.
9. Remove the foil.
10. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until the top turns golden.