One-Pan Chicken and Rice Bake

Introduction

Few recipes deliver as much comfort and convenience as a One-Pan Chicken and Rice Bake. This dish lets you enjoy tender, juicy chicken nestled atop perfectly seasoned, fluffy rice—all without dirtying multiple pots and pans.

Perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or meal prepping for the week, this recipe brings together satisfying flavors and wholesome ingredients in a single, oven-ready dish. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s as simple to prepare as it is delicious.

What Makes a Great One-Pan Chicken and Rice Bake?

The secret to this dish’s magic is the way the chicken juices seep into the rice as it bakes, infusing every grain with savory flavor while keeping the meat moist. With plenty of room for customization—think veggies, fresh herbs, or your favorite seasonings—it’s both forgiving and versatile.

Most importantly, clean-up is a breeze since everything cooks together—making it ideal for anyone looking to maximize taste while minimizing effort.

Tips for Flavorful and Efficient Prep

Chopping vegetables quickly and uniformly ensures even cooking and more consistent flavor. Using a tool like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper makes prep work effortless, so you can have perfectly diced onions, carrots, or bell peppers in seconds.

For perfect browning on your chicken before baking, a sturdy ovenproof skillet like the Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet is invaluable. It sears the meat evenly and transitions seamlessly from stovetop to oven.

If you’re short on oven mitts when handling a hot skillet or baking dish, the KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt Set will help keep your hands protected in style.

How to Assemble and Bake the Dish

Begin by quickly seasoning the chicken and browning it in your skillet to develop more depth of flavor. Remove the chicken, sauté the vegetables, then stir in uncooked rice, broth, and seasonings right in the same pan. Replace the chicken, cover, and bake until everything’s tender and aromatic.

A reliable kitchen thermometer like the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer ensures your chicken reaches the perfect internal temperature for juicy, safe results every time.

Serving and Storing Your One-Pan Chicken and Rice Bake

Allow the bake to rest for a few minutes before serving—this allows the rice to finish absorbing flavor and any excess moisture. Serve directly from the pan for a rustic presentation, or use a handy Bamboo Cutting Board for easy portioning.

Leftovers keep beautifully. Store extra portions in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for quick lunches or a speedy weeknight dinner solution.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 hearty portions, each offering a balanced mix of protein, whole grains, and vegetables. Each serving typically ranges from 450–550 calories, varying based on the cut of chicken and any additional add-ins.

One-Pan Chicken and Rice Bake (Recap)

With minimal hands-on time and maximum flavor, this one-pan wonder is your ticket to a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal with almost no clean-up. Featuring juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and customizable veggies, it’s a recipe you’ll want to keep in your weeknight arsenal.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels, then season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
3. Heat olive oil in a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet (or other ovenproof pan) over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 3–4 minutes until golden, then flip and cook 2 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add a splash more oil if needed and sauté onion, carrot, and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes until beginning to soften. (Use the Mueller Vegetable Chopper to dice veggies quickly.) Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
5. Add uncooked rice, stirring to coat grains with the pan juices. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
6. Nestle the seared chicken on top of the rice mixture, skin-side up. Bring to a simmer, then cover tightly with foil or a matching ovenproof lid.
7. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F—check with your ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer) and the rice is tender.
8. Uncover and broil for 2–4 minutes to crisp the chicken skin, if desired.
9. Let the pan rest for 5–10 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and optional lemon wedges before serving.
10. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Enjoy hearty flavors and unmatched convenience with this all-in-one comfort classic—perfect for any night of the week!