Cooking healthy meals often conjures images of endless dishes and complicated steps, especially when you’re trying to keep things low cholesterol.
But what if you could whip up a delicious, nutritious dinner that only requires one pot, leaving you with minimal cleanup and more time to relax? This recipe is designed to be your weeknight hero, proving that healthy eating can be both easy and incredibly satisfying.
This simple one-pot wonder is perfect for beginners and seasoned home cooks alike, focusing on fresh ingredients and straightforward techniques. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a wholesome family meal without the usual kitchen chaos, making healthy dinners a breeze even on your busiest evenings.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Mixed Vegetables
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This recipe offers a delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. It’s designed for minimal cleanup and focuses on fresh ingredients, making healthy eating simple and satisfying. This dish is naturally low in cholesterol and can be adapted to various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3. Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and chicken broth. Stir in the rinsed brown rice, dried oregano, dried basil, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for 20 minutes. The rice will begin to absorb the liquid and cook.
5. After 20 minutes, stir the reserved chicken back into the pot. Add the frozen mixed vegetables. Stir gently to combine everything.
6. Re-cover the pot and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes, or until the rice is tender, the chicken is cooked through (no longer pink inside), and the vegetables are heated through. If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a splash more broth or water.
7. Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the rice to fully steam.
8. Ladle the one-pot meal into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: one pot
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Keywords: one pot, chicken, rice, healthy, easy, weeknight, low cholesterol, vegetables, quick, dinner
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This one-pot dinner is a true game-changer for anyone seeking healthy, convenient, and delicious meals. It’s specifically designed for busy individuals and families who want to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen or tackling a mountain of dishes afterward. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and efficiency; everything cooks together in a single pot, infusing flavors beautifully and streamlining the entire process. It’s an ideal choice for weeknight dinners when time is short, but you still crave a homemade, nourishing meal. This dish is also naturally low in cholesterol, making it a smart option for those mindful of their heart health, without sacrificing taste or satisfaction. It’s a versatile recipe that can be adapted to suit various dietary preferences and is guaranteed to become a regular in your meal rotation.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this one-pot meal is straightforward, focusing on fresh, wholesome items that are easy to find at any grocery store. The beauty of this dish is its flexibility; while the core ingredients provide a fantastic flavor base, you can easily swap in similar items based on what you have on hand or what your family prefers.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked brown rice, rinsed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
For simple substitutions, you can easily use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for a slightly richer flavor. If brown rice isn’t your preference, white rice can be used, though cooking times may vary slightly (you might need a bit less liquid and a shorter cooking time). Feel free to experiment with different frozen vegetable blends, such as broccoli florets or spinach, to add variety and boost nutrient content. For a vegetarian option, you can omit the chicken and add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or black beans during the last 10 minutes of cooking for protein.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a healthy meal on the table without a long wait.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25-30 minutes Total Time: 35-40 minutes
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious one-pot meal is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect, flavorful result every time.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. You don’t need to cook it through completely at this stage. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Build the flavor base: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine liquids and rice: Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and chicken broth. Stir in the rinsed brown rice, dried oregano, dried basil, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer and cook: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for 20 minutes. The rice will begin to absorb the liquid and cook.
- Add chicken and vegetables: After 20 minutes, stir the reserved chicken back into the pot. Add the frozen mixed vegetables. Stir gently to combine everything.
- Finish cooking: Re-cover the pot and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes, or until the rice is tender, the chicken is cooked through (no longer pink inside), and the vegetables are heated through. If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a splash more broth or water.
- Rest and serve: Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the rice to fully steam.
- Garnish and enjoy: Ladle the one-pot meal into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This versatile one-pot meal lends itself beautifully to various adaptations and serving suggestions, making it a family favorite. For a kid-friendly twist, you can use smaller pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or orzo instead of rice, adjusting the liquid and cooking time accordingly. Adding a sprinkle of shredded cheese (like cheddar or mozzarella) over individual servings just before eating can also make it more appealing to younger palates.
To vary the flavor profile, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end for brightness, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a little kick. You could also swap out the oregano and basil for a tablespoon of taco seasoning for a Mexican-inspired dish, serving it with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. For a Mediterranean twist, add some pitted Kalamata olives and feta cheese during the last few minutes of cooking. This dish is hearty enough on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad or a slice of whole-grain bread for dipping into the flavorful broth. It’s also excellent for meal prepping; simply portion it into containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple one-pot recipe, a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. Being aware of these can help ensure your meal turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent slip-up is not rinsing the brown rice. Rinsing helps remove excess starch, which can make the rice gummy or sticky. A quick rinse under cold water until the water runs clear is all it takes.
Another common issue is lifting the lid too often during simmering. This allows steam to escape, which is crucial for cooking the rice evenly. Resist the urge to peek! Let the pot simmer undisturbed for the recommended time before checking.
Overcooking the chicken can lead to dry, tough meat. Since the chicken is cut into small pieces, it cooks relatively quickly. Browning it first and then adding it back for the final cooking stage helps keep it tender. Trust the cooking times and check for doneness without overdoing it.
Not using enough liquid can result in undercooked rice that’s still hard in the center. While the recipe provides a good starting point, different brands of rice and even your stovetop’s heat can affect liquid absorption. If the rice seems dry and still firm, add a quarter cup of hot broth or water, stir gently, and continue simmering for a few more minutes. Conversely, using too much liquid can lead to a soupy consistency. Stick to the specified amounts and only add more if truly necessary.
Finally, skipping the resting period after cooking can prevent the flavors from fully melding and the rice from achieving its best texture. That 5-minute rest off the heat is a small but important step.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This one-pot meal is fantastic for leftovers and can be easily stored or even partially made ahead, making your healthy eating journey even more convenient.
To store leftovers, allow the meal to cool completely to room temperature (this usually takes about 30-60 minutes, but don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours). Transfer the cooled meal into airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For reheating, individual portions can be warmed in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. If reheating a larger quantity on the stovetop, place it in a pot over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out, and stir occasionally until thoroughly warm.
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly prepare some components in advance. You can chop the onion and mince the garlic a day or two ahead of time and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. You can also cube the chicken and keep it refrigerated. Rinsing the brown rice just before cooking is recommended for best results.
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
