13 Chicken & Rice Dinner Recipes for Easy Weeknights

Chicken and rice is the weeknight hero that never lets you down. From cozy casseroles to sizzling skillets, these 13 dinners turn two simple ingredients into pure comfort.

Below you’ll find 13 reader-favorite recipes, each with a photo, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions. Save your favorites and enjoy!

1. Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

The ultimate dump-and-bake comfort casserole.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken breast
• 2 cups rice
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cheddar
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Mix uncooked rice, soup, broth, and onion in a baking dish.
2. Nestle chicken breasts on top.
3. Cover and bake at 375°F for 40 minutes.
4. Top with cheddar and peas.
5. Bake uncovered 10 more minutes.

2. Chicken Fried Rice

Better-than-takeout fried rice in 20 minutes flat.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs, diced
• 3 cups cooked rice
• 3 eggs, scrambled
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 green onions

Instructions

1. Sear chicken in sesame oil 6 minutes.
2. Push aside; scramble eggs.
3. Add rice, peas, and carrots.
4. Splash in soy sauce; toss 3 minutes.
5. Top with green onions.

3. Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

Bright, zesty one-pan dinner with crispy-skinned chicken.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken thighs
• 1.5 cups rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Sear chicken skin-side down 6 minutes.
2. Add rice, garlic, and oregano; toast 2 minutes.
3. Pour in broth; top with lemon slices.
4. Cover and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
5. Rest 5 minutes; fluff rice.

4. Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Glossy teriyaki chicken over steamy rice with crisp broccoli.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 cups rice
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Cook rice; steam broccoli.
2. Sear chicken 6 minutes.
3. Add teriyaki and ginger; glaze 2 minutes.
4. Serve over rice with broccoli.
5. Sprinkle sesame seeds.

5. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Creamy, hearty soup that tastes like a hug in a bowl.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast
• 1 cup wild rice blend
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1/2 cup cream

Instructions

1. Simmer chicken, rice, and broth 25 minutes.
2. Shred chicken; return to pot.
3. Add vegetables; simmer 15 minutes.
4. Stir in cream.
5. Season and serve hot.

6. Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice

Tangy green-salsa bake with melty cheese on top.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken thighs
• 1 jar salsa verde
• 1.5 cups rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup Monterey Jack
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/4 cup cilantro

Instructions

1. Mix rice, broth, salsa verde, and cumin in a dish.
2. Add chicken thighs.
3. Cover; bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.
4. Top with cheese.
5. Bake uncovered 10 minutes; garnish with cilantro.

7. Creamy Tuscan Chicken and Rice

Sun-dried tomato cream sauce meets tender chicken and rice.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken breast
• 1.5 cups rice
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup cream
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup parmesan

Instructions

1. Sear chicken 5 minutes per side; set aside.
2. Toast rice with sun-dried tomatoes 2 minutes.
3. Add broth and cream; simmer.
4. Return chicken; cook 15 minutes.
5. Stir in spinach and parmesan.

8. Chicken Biryani-Style Rice

Fragrant, golden rice layered with spiced chicken.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken thighs
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp biryani spice
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup almonds

Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in yogurt and spice 30 minutes.
2. Brown chicken; set aside.
3. Toast rice with onion and remaining spice.
4. Add water; layer chicken on top.
5. Cover and steam 20 minutes; top with raisins and almonds.

9. Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Skillet

Sticky-sweet chicken glazed over rice in one skillet.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken breast
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 cups rice
• 2 cups snap peas
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions

1. Cook rice; set aside.
2. Sear chicken 6 minutes.
3. Add honey, soy, and garlic; glaze 3 minutes.
4. Toss in snap peas.
5. Serve over rice.

10. Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers

Colorful peppers stuffed with savory chicken-rice filling.

Ingredients

• 6 bell peppers
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1.5 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup marinara
• 1 cup mozzarella
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Hollow peppers; brush with oil.
2. Mix chicken, rice, marinara, and seasoning.
3. Fill peppers; top with mozzarella.
4. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
5. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

11. Greek Lemon Chicken Rice

Mediterranean sunshine: lemon, oregano, feta, and olives.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken thighs
• 1.5 cups rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 cup feta
• 1/4 cup olives

Instructions

1. Sear chicken 5 minutes per side.
2. Add rice, broth, lemon, and oregano.
3. Simmer covered 20 minutes.
4. Top with feta and olives.
5. Rest 5 minutes; serve.

12. Cajun Chicken and Rice

Bold, smoky one-pot with a kick of Cajun heat.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken breast
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1.5 cups rice
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes

Instructions

1. Coat chicken in Cajun seasoning; sear 5 minutes.
2. Add pepper, onion, and rice; toast 2 minutes.
3. Pour in broth and tomatoes.
4. Cover; simmer 20 minutes.
5. Fluff and serve.

13. Coconut Curry Chicken and Rice

Creamy coconut curry that comes together in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1.5 cups jasmine rice
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 1 cup peas
• 1/4 cup cilantro

Instructions

1. Sear chicken 5 minutes.
2. Add curry and ginger; toast 1 minute.
3. Pour in coconut milk; simmer 15 minutes.
4. Serve over jasmine rice.
5. Top with peas and cilantro.