Let’s be honest—rice and chicken are like that best friend duo who just always click together. You can dress them up, keep them simple, or spice them like crazy—they’ll still taste amazing.
I’ve made a lot of chicken and rice recipes over the years, but these three are the ones I keep coming back to. They’re simple, flavorful, and never disappoint. Let’s dive in.
1. Chicken Fried Rice
The first recipe on my list has to be Chicken Fried Rice. It’s the perfect “I don’t feel like cooking but still want something delicious” recipe. The beauty is you can make it with leftover rice, and it tastes even better than most takeouts.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (day-old works best)
- 2 chicken breasts (cut into small cubes)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup mixed veggies (carrots, peas, corn)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp garlic (minced)
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large pan or wok.
- Add chicken cubes, season with salt, pepper, and cook until golden.
- Push chicken to the side, add eggs, and scramble them quickly.
- Add veggies and garlic—stir fry for 2–3 minutes.
- Toss in rice, pour soy sauce, and stir well until everything is coated.
- Top with green onions and serve hot.
Why you’ll love it: It’s fast, budget-friendly, and the kind of dish you can make with whatever’s in the fridge.
2. Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Now, this one is pure comfort food. Think of a cozy night, maybe some rain outside, and you’re sitting down with a warm bowl of creamy chicken and rice casserole. It’s rich, filling, and tastes like home.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked rice
- 2 chicken thighs (or breasts, diced)
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- Salt, pepper, paprika
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a baking dish, mix rice, soups, broth, onion, and seasoning.
- Place chicken pieces on top, sprinkle paprika.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle cheese, and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly.
Why you’ll love it: It’s creamy, cheesy, and perfect for family dinners. You don’t need fancy ingredients, and it makes enough to feed a crowd.
3. One-Pot Chicken and Rice
Here’s the king of easy dinners: One-Pot Chicken and Rice. You literally cook everything in one pot, which means fewer dishes and more flavor because the rice soaks up all the chicken juices and spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups uncooked rice
- 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on for max flavor)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp turmeric (for color and flavor)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large pot and sear chicken thighs until skin is crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add onion and garlic, sauté until golden.
- Add rice, turmeric, cumin—stir until rice is coated.
- Pour in broth, add chicken back in, season well.
- Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes until rice is tender.
Why you’ll love it: It’s flavorful, simple, and feels like something straight out of a restaurant, but you made it in one pot at home.
Final Thoughts
So there you go—three of the best chicken and rice recipes that always work. Whether you want something quick like fried rice, something creamy and comforting like a casserole, or something bold and flavorful like one-pot chicken and rice, these recipes will hit the spot.
FAQs
Q: Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes! Just adjust cooking time since brown rice takes longer.
Q: Can I meal-prep these recipes?
Absolutely. All three recipes taste great reheated, especially fried rice.
Q: What’s the best chicken cut for these recipes?
Breasts are great for fried rice, thighs for casseroles and one-pot dishes since they stay juicy.
