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Weeknight • Chicken

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet

A comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and melted cheese, all cooked in a single skillet.

Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet

When you need a hearty, satisfying meal with minimal cleanup, this Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet is here to save the day! It's a complete meal in one pan, making it perfect for those busy evenings when you want maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Your whole family will love this cheesy, comforting classic.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice (long-grain or jasmine)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (with lid) over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the uncooked rice, chicken broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Stir the chicken back into the skillet. Cover and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. If the rice isn't quite done, add a splash more broth and continue cooking briefly.

  5. Step 5

    Remove from heat, sprinkle generously with shredded cheese, and cover the skillet for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Tips

  • For added veggies, stir in a cup of frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  • If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, transfer to a baking dish before adding cheese and melting in the oven.
  • Brown your chicken well in step 1 to build extra flavor in the pan.

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