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Easy Cheesy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe with Veggies Made Perfect

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A quick and comforting one-pot meal combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, vibrant veggies, and a creamy cheesy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) or fresh diced bell peppers and zucchini
  • ½ cup chopped fresh spinach or kale (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup whole milk or cream (dairy-free milk if needed)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop onion and garlic, measure rice and veggies. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear.
  2. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown but not fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in rinsed rice and smoked paprika, tossing to coat the grains in the onion and garlic mixture, about 2 minutes.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in browned chicken pieces. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 15 minutes without stirring.
  6. After 15 minutes, stir in frozen or fresh veggies and chopped greens. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes until rice is tender and veggies are heated through.
  7. Remove from heat. Sprinkle cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses over the top. Pour milk or cream evenly over the cheese. Cover and let sit for 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese and create a creamy sauce.
  8. Gently fold everything together, keeping some cheesy strands visible. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot.

Notes

Rinse rice to prevent mushiness. Sear chicken until golden to lock in flavor. Use a mix of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan for best cheesy flavor. Add a splash of cream or milk for a silky finish. Frozen veggies can be used and added in the last 5 minutes. Adjust liquid and cooking time if using brown rice. For lactose intolerance, substitute cheeses with dairy-free alternatives or nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, chicken and rice, cheesy, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, quick recipe, vegetables, creamy sauce

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