One Pot Chicken and Rice with Broccoli and Cheesy Sauce Recipe
This One Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is a comforting and easy-to-make dish combining tender seasoned chicken with nutritious brown rice, steamed broccoli, and a creamy blend of cheddar and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it cooks entirely on the stovetop to deliver a flavorful, cheesy meal with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2–3 small breasts), cut into chunks or strips
- 3 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- ½ white onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 12 ounces frozen steam-in-bag broccoli (cooked according to package instructions)
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese (or romano cheese or a blend)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to create a flavorful seasoning blend.
- Season the Chicken: Place the chicken chunks onto a cutting board and sprinkle the prepared seasoning evenly over them. Set the seasoned chicken aside for cooking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on both sides and fully cooked through with no pink inside. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Onions: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the chopped onions and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they become translucent and soft.
- Cook Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add Chicken Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook down for 2-3 minutes to concentrate the flavors.
- Combine Vegetables and Chicken: Stir in the cooked broccoli and add the browned chicken back into the skillet. Note: The steam-in-bag broccoli should be cooked separately according to package instructions before adding.
- Heat Through: Stir the chicken, broccoli, and rice mixture and cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and some broth remains at the bottom.
- Add Rice and Cheese: Reduce heat to low and add the cooked brown rice, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and grated parmesan cheese into the pan.
- Melt Cheese and Combine: Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the cheddar cheese has melted, creating a creamy cheesy sauce coating the rice and chicken.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust salt and pepper as needed, then serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Cook the frozen steam-in-bag broccoli separately according to the package instructions before adding it to the skillet.
- Using cooked brown rice is key to ensuring the rice doesn’t overcook and become mushy.
- You can substitute parmesan cheese with romano or a cheese blend for different flavor profiles.
- If desired, add some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- For meal prep, this recipe reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Keywords: one pot chicken and rice, chicken and rice skillet, cheesy chicken rice recipe, easy dinner, stovetop chicken recipe, healthy chicken dinner, brown rice with chicken, broccoli chicken skillet
