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Indulge in classic comfort with our quick and easy Chicken and Rice recipe! In just 20 minutes, you’ll enjoy tender chicken, fluffy golden rice, and heartwarming flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends, this one-pot dish combines savory chicken, aromatic spices, and hearty grains.
Short on time? This recipe uses leftover cooked chicken, perfect for using up a rotisserie chicken. And the good news doesn’t stop there! Our guide “5 Meals From 1 Rotisserie Chicken” shows you how to turn one rotisserie chicken into five more delicious meals!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Have a serving ready in less than 30 minutes.
- Versatile: You can use leftover cooked chicken.
- Adaptable: Suitable for a range of dietary preferences.
- Flavorful: The turmeric-infused golden rice adds an exotic twist.
Single Serving Golden Rice Bowl
Chicken and rice bowls are the ultimate comfort food – simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. Our recipe puts a delicious twist on this classic with Golden Rice! This vibrant rice gets its beautiful color and subtle earthy flavor from turmeric, a spice with potential health benefits. We pile tender chicken on top for a simple, nourishing meal.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy chicken and rice recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is my go-to for its rich, authentic olive flavor and nutritional benefits. It’s the highest-quality and least processed olive oil available. If preferred, light olive oil is a suitable alternative.
- Garlic: Just one clove of garlic significantly enhances the rice with its robust flavor.
- Ground Turmeric: A key spice in our golden rice, turmeric is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties and is a staple in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. It pairs wonderfully with chicken and rice, offering a global flair. Consider using turmeric in Chicken Tikka Masala, Slow Cooker Chickpeas and Sausage, and Chicken Shawarma. Curry powder can be a good substitute if turmeric is unavailable.
- Rice: Uncooked long-grain rice is recommended for its texture and ability to absorb flavors.
- Chicken Broth: I use low-sodium chicken broth to balance the soy sauce’s saltiness. However, regular chicken broth works well too, especially if not using soy sauce (in which case, you might want to add extra salt).
- Chicken: Use 1 cup of diced cooked chicken, about one 4 to 5-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh. For a vegetarian or seafood twist, tofu or shrimp are excellent substitutes. If you have any chicken leftover, consider using it in Chicken Fried Rice or Chicken Spaghetti.
- Onion: Thinly slice 1/4 of a small onion for a subtle sharpness.
- Tomatoes: One small Roma or Plum tomato is ideal. Extra tomatoes can be used in Caprese Pasta or Cioppino.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is preferred for its bright flavor, but bottled lemon juice is a convenient alternative.
- Salt and Pepper: These are essential for seasoning.
- Soy Sauce and Hot Sauce: Combine these for a flavorful mix. Drizzle over the dish for an extra zing or use as a dipping sauce.
How To Make Chicken and Rice For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make Chicken with Golden Rice. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat oil on medium-high heat in a 1-quart saucepan. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
- Add the turmeric and rice and cook, stirring occasionally for 1 minute.
- Add broth, salt, and pepper to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.
- Place the cooked chicken, sliced onions, and chopped tomatoes in a bowl. Mix in the lemon juice.
- Spoon in the rice.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce and hot sauce. Drizzle over the top or use as a dipping sauce.
RELATED: Cooking For One – Simple Tips For Solo Cooking
Expert Tips
- Versatile Toppings: Enhance the dish with a fresh twist by adding chopped cucumbers or fresh basil. For a creamy addition, a dollop of Greek yogurt works wonders.
- Vegetarian Option: Easily transform this into a vegetarian meal by omitting the chicken and incorporating tofu or canned, rinsed chickpeas for a hearty plant-based protein.
- Scaling Up: This recipe scales up seamlessly. Doubling the ingredients yields a larger batch without compromising on flavor or texture, perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.
Serving Suggestions
Our chicken and rice bowl can be served with a side of steamed vegetables or a refreshing cucumber salad. Add a dollop of yogurt for a creamy element.
Frequently Asked Questions
My favorite ways to cook chicken quickly are by broiling the chicken or poaching the chicken.
Yes. Sautéed spinach, roasted carrots, broccoli, butternut squash, or brussels sprouts make great additions.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with additional spices like cumin, coriander, or a pinch of cinnamon for a unique flavor profile.
While this recipe is designed for a single serving, if you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this chicken and rice recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Chicken and Rice For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ cup long-grain white rice
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken
- ¼ small onion -thinly sliced
- 1 small Roma tomato -chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon hot sauce -or use more if you'd like it spicy.
Instructions
- Start with the Rice: In a 1-quart saucepan, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring often.
- Season the Rice: Add turmeric and rice to the saucepan. Stir occasionally while cooking for 1 minute.
- Cook the Rice: Pour in the broth, then season with salt and pepper. Bring everything to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid. Take the pan off the heat and leave it aside.
- Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a serving bowl, place the cooked chicken, sliced onions, and chopped tomatoes. Add lemon juice and mix well.
- Add the Rice: Spoon the cooked rice into the bowl with the chicken mixture.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce and hot sauce. You can either drizzle this over the dish or use it as a dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Hi,
This recipe sounds so yummy! But
Would it work with Brown Long grain rice? OR Brown rice?
Would the cooking time be any different?
I don’t eat white rice because it is Starch, then to sugar and I am a Pre-Diabetic.
Hi Sheri, Brown rice can be used in place of white rice in this casserole recipe but it will require a longer cooking time and additional liquid. Although I have not tested this recipe using brown rice, I would experiment by adding about 1/4 cup of additional broth and start checking to see if the casserole is done after about 50 minutes.
Thank you so very much!!!!
You have incredible timing! I have chicken breast in my fridge that I got yesterday. I’ve been cooking my rice in stock and turmeric for a while now. For 20+ years my daughter “hated” rice of any kind. Till now! This is going to be our dinner tonight. I have everything in your recipe. YAY!
I made this tonight using a skinless boneless thigh. I cooked my onions and mixed everything together at the end. This is a winner that I will definitely make again! Like next week!
Wonderful dinner tonight! I used coconut amino, a touch of GF soy sauce, and a drop of GF buffalo wing sauce for the sauce. Perfect tasty GF meal. Thank you~
Thank you so much for letting me know you liked the recipe. I love how you made it gluten free. Have a great week!
I really need to buy turmeric more often! This looks like the perfect meal!
Thank you, Lisa. Have a great weekend!
Love this simple dinner – my fascination with turmeric continues 🙂
Thank you Laura. I love turmeric too.
Practical, beautiful and DELICIOUS!
Thank you Dorothy!