This fantastic one-pot chicken, rice, and vegetable dinner is perfect for your busy weeknights. Serve your family a delicious homemade meal cooked in less than 20 minutes and only four easy steps.
You need more one-pot dinners in your life, like this easy Bosnian one-pan chicken and rice with vegetables. This recipe is made all over the world, with countless variations on the theme.
Throw everything into one pot and call it a day. What's not to like?
Plus, this dinner is gluten-free, packed full of veggies, and perfect for kids who love American-style chicken and rice but need some variety for their health and yours!
I'm really all about easy yet delicious meals. Also, these quick one-pot dishes are especially favorable when they can stretch to feed a crowd.
Ingredients for one-pot chicken rice:
You don’t need too much - and the ingredients are all pretty standard, so chances are that you have at least some of them already!
See? It looks like a lot, but you probably already have most of it, and all the ingredients are cheap, so it isn’t as bad as it looks!
You might also notice that there are a few fewer herbs and spices - that’s because this recipe is intended to be pretty light and simple. However, if you want to spice things up, then go for it!
Ingredient and Recipe Notes:
1. CHICKEN BROTH OR STOCK?
What's the difference?
- Stock is made by primarily simmering the bones and vegetables for a long time.
- The broth is made by cooking the meat, possibly bones, and vegetables.
- Bone broth is a hybrid of broth and stock.
2. CAN I USE CHICKEN BREAST INSTEAD OF THIGHS?
Chicken thighs offer more flavor, but you can make it with chicken breast or turkey meat too if that's your preference.
3. CAN I MAKE IT VEGETARIAN?
Yes - of course! Just add extra veggies, use veggie broth, and remove the chicken - super simple! It’s actually vegan that way as well!
4. WHAT'S THE BEST RICE TO USE?
Either the Jasmine or Basmati rice works well in this recipe. If you prefer brown rice, then par-boil it before adding it to the pot.
You could also use the minute-rice, but cook the meat and vegetables in sauce first, then add it towards the end of cooking. Adjust the rice-liquid ratio as necessary.
Arborio rice is typically used for risottos and you can still use it if you like, but note that your dish might get too dense and sticky.
5. CAN I USE EXTRA VEGGIES?
Of course! I’d recommend using any of these:
- Celery stalks
- Green beans
- Zucchini (add it towards the end of cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy)
- Corn
- Broccoli florets
- Asparagus
- Mushrooms
- Greens such as stinging nettle, spinach, or kale
What to serve with this dish?
A side of salad greens complements this creamy dish perfectly. And a glass of your favorite wine, of course! 🍷
How do I store leftovers?
Allow them to cool to room temperature and then store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days! When you’re ready to reheat them, microwave them until piping hot.
How to make chicken and rice with vegetables?
The simple combination of chicken and rice mixed with vegetables requires no kitchen skills. Trust me, it’s that easy to make! Only 4 steps!
Overall, this dish doesn't need any enhancement, but feel free to add your favorite herbs and spices.
*Keep scrolling to get the full (printable) recipe, ingredient amounts, and more tips.
- Step 1 -To begin with, chop, dice, slice, and mince your vegetables.
- Step 2 -Next, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large non-stick pan, cast iron, or saucepan. Sauté the onions, carrots, pepper, and garlic until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3 - Add chicken and brown quickly, then add tomato and cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 5-8 minutes.
- Step 4 - Stir in the tomato sauce, stock or water, peas, and rice then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook on low heat, occasionally stirring until rice is cooked through, 10-12 minutes (add more water if necessary to finish cooking the rice).
The best part, it cooks in less than 30 minutes. Raise your hand if you want a delicious homemade dinner on the table that didn’t take hours to make! 🙋🏻♀️
And even better: cooked in one pot there are almost no dirty dishes to speak of. That is why we love this easy chicken and rice recipe, and you should too.
Love this one-skillet rice recipe? I bet you'd also like...
- COLOMBIAN PORK AND SAUSAGE RISOTTO (you will love Latin flavors in this dish)
- QUICK AND EASY SHRIMP RISOTTO (another family favorite!)
- BOSNIAN DJUVEC RICE (cozy vegetable and rice side dish)
🧡 LIKED THIS RECIPE? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. 😋 HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest updates.
One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Vegetables
EQUIPMENT
- Cast iron skillet with a lid or a Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, any color, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 ½ cup chicken stock or broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large cast-iron, Dutch oven or a saucepan, heat the 3 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 chopped onion, 1 large sliced carrot, and 1 chopped bell pepper, and 1 minced garlic clove. Sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces and brown until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Deglaze the pot with 1 cup crushed tomatoes and 1 ½ cup chicken stock or broth. Add 1 cup frozen peas and 1 cup uncooked rice; season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally until rice is cooked through, 10-12 minutes (add more stock or water, if necessary, to finish cooking the rice).
- Finally, sprinkle with fresh parsley leaves before serving.
Video
Notes
- Some people have texture issues with different vegetables or have other aversions (I, for one, hate carrots). You can help by grating the carrots and onions and otherwise use the vegetables you know they like.
- If you're out of chicken stock or broth, use beef or vegetable instead. Another good substitute is a good quality bouillon dissolved in water.
- Feel free to add your own herbs and spices. We kept it simple.
- Bosnians like to replace salt with Vegeta.
- For the best results, read additional tips in the post above.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used.
Nutrition
Katherines Corner says
pinned!! xo
Jas says
Thanks! Mwah!
Debbie says
Jas - I am always in need of easy 5 step or less recipes - thanks so much for this one - Thanks for linking up with #TuneInThursday last week. Hope to see you tomorrow too.
Jas says
Thank you, Debbie! I appreciate you taking the time to stop in 😀 Happy Mother's Day!
Debrashoppeno5 says
I love easy recipes, especially in the warmer months. Who wants to be in a hot kitchen. This certainly will be on my must try list.
Jas says
Thanks, Debra! I know you'll like it 😀
Lindsey says
wow as always this looks delicious! #iDIYedthat
Jas says
Thank you, Lindsey! 😀
Beverly says
This is going on my to make list. It looks delicious. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle, Jas.. We'll be featuring this at tomorrow's party. See you there!
Jas says
Thank you so much, Beverly! Always an honor to be featured on your blog!
Sandra says
Your photography and styling is top notch and this dish looks amazing!
Jas says
I appreciate your compliment very much, Sandra, as I'm always so critical about my photography. Thank you! Hope you have a blessed weekend!
Melissa Ruddy says
First of all. What???You are a grandma?? Hope I look like you when I am a Grandmother! Anyway thank you for sharing this dish. I am always looking for quick meals to use for weeknight dinners.
Jas says
Ha, ha Melissa, you made my day. We all have those images of grandmas with gray hair, sitting in the rocking chair and knitting. I am fortunate to be a grandma at my age (51) while I have enough energy to horse around with my grandkids 🙂
Thanks for stopping in!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe at the What's for Dinner link up!
Jennifer says
What a great simple recipe! I'm always looking for a quick meal to make for my boys and this one looks like a crowd pleaser:) Plus I only have to clean one pot! Yay!
Jas says
That's always a plus in my book too! 😀
Maha Khan says
Wonderful recipe.I like this and I think this is very delicious.
I am going to make this recipe for my family and husband
Thanks for sharing
Jas says
I think you and your family will like this recipe! Let me know how it went. Thanks for stopping in 🙂
Teresa says
Going to try this tonight! Thanks from another busy grandma....I go by nana and blog at NanaHood.com Hope you'll come visit and linkup. I'm sure other nanas would love this recipe too!
Jas says
Hi, nana! I love to connect with other busy grandmas. Thanks for the invitation, I will be heading over soon:D
Rhonda says
This sounds like a great and easy recipe. I think I'll try it the next time I do a chicken dish.
Jas says
I hope you do, Rhonda! It really is super easy 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
image-in-ing: weekly photo linky says
Looks yummy!
Thanks for sharing!
Jas says
Thanks! 😀
Gentle Joy Photography says
This looks good... and filling. I love one pot meals.... so helpful for time and money. 🙂
Jas says
I agree, Joy! Time and money saver for sure. 🙂
Mary - the boondocks blog says
Jas I am definitely going to try this. Who has time to be washing twenty pots and pans when you can make it in just one.
Jas says
Not me, Mary! I barely have time to load the dishwasher, lol. Happy Easter!
Mrs Shoes says
Yum! Mr Shoes was looking over my shoulder & asked me, "Could you make that with rabbit?"
Why yes, yes I could.
Happy Easter!!
Jas says
That would work too, just not for Easter, LOL. I served rabbit for Easter one year when my daughter was little and the following year told her Easter was canceled because she ate the Easter bunny the year before. She was devastated. Poor thing, I think I scarred her for life. Easter blessings to you, Mrs. Shoes!