One Pot Chicken Broccoli and Rice Recipe
This comforting and nutritious One Pot Chicken Broccoli and Rice recipe combines tender chicken breast pieces, fresh broccoli, and fluffy long grain white rice cooked together in a flavorful chicken broth. With minimal cleanup and a balanced combination of protein and veggies, this one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large bunch fresh broccoli, cut into florets
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Grains and Liquids
- 1 cup uncooked extra long grain white rice
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups extra water or chicken broth (as needed for cooking rice and broccoli)
Oils and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Begin by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, dicing the onion, mincing the garlic, and cutting the broccoli into florets. Having all ingredients ready before cooking makes the process seamless.
- Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the chicken pieces, seasoning with kosher salt and pepper, and sauté until lightly browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in the uncooked white rice, allowing it to toast lightly for a minute with the chicken and aromatics. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and 1 to 1 1/2 cups extra water or broth, enough to cover the rice by about half an inch. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer and Cook Rice: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and allow the rice to simmer gently for about 12 minutes.
- Add Broccoli: After 12 minutes, quickly open the lid and add the broccoli florets on top of the rice. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the broccoli. Cover again and continue to simmer for another 8-10 minutes until the rice is tender and the broccoli is bright green and cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Check that the chicken is fully cooked, and fluff the rice gently with a fork, mixing the broccoli and chicken evenly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve hot as a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Notes
- To prevent the rice from sticking, avoid lifting the lid too often during cooking.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt level in the dish.
- Feel free to swap the broccoli with other vegetables like green beans or asparagus for variety.
- If preferred, brown the chicken longer for extra flavor before adding rice and broth.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: One pot meal, chicken and rice, broccoli recipe, easy dinner, healthy one pot, quick chicken dinner
