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Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice: Best College Dorm Dinner

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A simple, one-pot chicken and rice recipe perfect for dorm life or busy weeknights. Made with basic ingredients and minimal equipment, it delivers a comforting, home-cooked meal in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or water with a bouillon cube)
  • 1 small onion, diced (about ½ cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter or margarine (optional)
  • ½ cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 1 carrot, diced (optional)
  • A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat the oil in your pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving them, until golden. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes. The chicken should be browned but not fully cooked through.
  3. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
  4. Lower the heat to medium and add the butter (if using). Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, stirring constantly.
  5. Add the rice to the pot and stir for about 1 minute to toast the grains slightly.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth (or water with bouillon). Scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Add the salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir everything together.
  7. Return the chicken to the pot, nestling it into the rice. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
  8. Let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Do NOT lift the lid during this time.
  9. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let the pot sit, still covered, for another 5 minutes.
  10. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Add the frozen peas now if using. Give everything a gentle stir. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

Don’t skip searing the chicken for best flavor. Resist the urge to stir once the lid is on. Use low heat during simmering. For brown rice, use 2 ½ cups broth and cook 40-45 minutes. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot chicken and rice, easy chicken and rice, dorm dinner, college meal, quick dinner, one-pot meal

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/easy-one-pot-chicken-and-rice-best-college-dorm-dinner/