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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Easy and Economical One Pot Chicken and Rice (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

    Published: Aug 8, 2014 · Modified: Jun 28, 2022 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 33 Comments

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    Chicken and Rice Pinterest

    If there's anything I like more than cooking, it's a bargain.

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    While my family is not destitute by any means, we do budget our money carefully, especially because I don't have a typical, salaried job.

    Nearly all of our purchases are discussed and thought about beforehand.

    Our biggest expenditure, aside from our mortgage, is food.

    We don't really travel, we're not into the latest electronic gadgets, we don't go to movies or throw parties or really have any other recreational activity expenses. Truth be told, most people would probably find us pretty boring, but that's just honestly us!

    Frankly, I'm lucky to have found someone so much like myself in this regard.

    Before meeting my husband, I would falsely proclaim to boyfriends my 'deep desires' to backpack through Europe or skydive, all while wondering what was wrong with me.

    Everyone around me seemed so adventurous and full of wonderment, and all I wanted to do was sit in my house, work a little job, go to the gym, watch good movies, and eat my favorite food.

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    In addition to myself, my husband and two little girls love to eat, so our grocery bills can get quite expensive.

    While perusing new recipes to try, I often gauge how likely I am to make it by the ingredients list. Too many expensive ingredients, and I'm likely to pass right over it, especially if I'm making a lot of something.

    That's why I love this recipe so much (and hope some of you will too).

    Not only does it employ some of the cheapest vegetables and meat you can buy, it's easy, it doesn't dirty a lot of dishes, it easily feeds a family of four (and then some), and it's all ready in about one hour!

    Chicken and rice recipe
    Print Recipe
    4.11 from 19 votes

    Easy and Economical One-Pot Chicken and Rice

    An inexpensive, easy, and healthy meal for four!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 10 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Chicken, Rice
    Servings: 6 bowls
    Calories: 348kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    Ingredients

    • 2 T. olive oil
    • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
    • 1 cup celery chopped
    • 1 cup carrots chopped
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
    • 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 dried bay leaves
    • 1 pound organic chicken thighs
    • 1 ¼ cup long-grain brown rice
    • 3 cup water
    • fresh parsley for serving

    Instructions

    • Heat the olive oil in a large pot.
    • Add in the onion and saute for five minutes until very soft.
    • Add in the celery, carrots, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and oregano.
    • Cook 2-3 minutes.
    • Add in the chicken thighs (no need to chop them), and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
    • Add in the rice and bay leaves.
    • Cook 1-2 minutes.
    • Add in the water.
    • Bring the pot to a boil.
    • Lower the heat to a simmer.
    • Cover the pot, and let the meal cook for 50-60 minutes, until the water has (mostly) evaporated, the chicken is tender and falling apart, and the rice is cooked through.
    • Use the spoon to break up the chicken thighs into smaller pieces.
    • Taste for seasoning, top with fresh parsley, and serve!

    Notes

    WW points (new system): 9

    Nutrition

    Sodium: 255mg | Sugar: 2.1g | Fiber: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Calories: 348kcal | Saturated Fat: 2.5g | Fat: 11.5g | Protein: 25.4g | Carbohydrates: 34.9g

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    This has become one of our favorite, go-to meals, not only for its ease and affordability, but because of how absolutely delicious it is!

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    The vegetables, the flavorful chicken thighs, and the subtle spices all come together to make a truly comforting and completely healthy meal that pleases kids and adults alike!

    What's your favorite low-cost meal?

     

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    Filed Under: Chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Talia

      December 14, 2020 at 9:29 am

      I’m going to try this today!! I’m going to use chicken breast and jasmine rice instead. Any tips? I

      Reply
      • Talia

        December 14, 2020 at 9:30 am

        Also, how big are the serving sizes?

        Reply
      • Lauren

        December 14, 2020 at 1:49 pm

        Hi Talia, chicken breasts and jasmine rice should work fine, as long as the rice is brown. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Tiffany Ford

      September 06, 2020 at 10:35 pm

      We love this recipe! Can anyone share any tips for cooking this in the slow cooker instead? Thank you ☺️

      Reply
      • Talia Jennings

        December 14, 2020 at 6:41 am

        I would like to know as well!

        Reply
    3. Esty

      May 03, 2020 at 12:45 am

      Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 03, 2020 at 8:44 am

        That should be fine!

        Reply
    4. Chelsea

      February 08, 2019 at 9:21 pm

      Made this recipe for dinner tonight and loved it! My two year old wasn’t sure about it, but she took a few bites. I loved how easy, simple and filling it was! And we have lots of leftovers! 😊

      Reply
    5. Kelly

      November 13, 2018 at 9:06 pm

      Delicious! Thank you. I used chicken broth instead of water, added mushrooms and broccoli and topped with lemon pepper. Hard to stop eating it!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 15, 2018 at 12:14 pm

        Yay, thanks for the rating and the comment, Kelly!

        Reply
    6. Alison

      October 29, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      Found this while looking for a healthier version of chicken and rice casserole to have after a doctor’s visit, and it couldn’t be more perfect! I loved the flavor and simplicity of the ingredients, as well as the huge amount it made for so cheap. I can’t wait to share this recipe with family and friends. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        October 30, 2018 at 12:49 pm

        Thank you, Alison, I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
      • Cossette Garcia Gomez

        June 21, 2019 at 8:49 am

        Make it with white rice instead of brown, chicken broth instead of water and rosemary instead of oregano. I reduce to cooking time to about 35 minutes. Very good base!!

        Reply
    7. Spring

      September 29, 2017 at 1:04 pm

      Think this would freeze ok? If so how would I reheat?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 29, 2017 at 4:43 pm

        I'm not sure, as I've not tried. Sorry!

        Reply
    8. Jenny

      September 22, 2017 at 8:06 am

      Can you use white rice? How would you adjust the cook time?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 23, 2017 at 2:27 pm

        I think that would work...you'd probably only need about 15-20 minutes cook time and a bit less water.

        Reply
    9. Lisa

      August 04, 2017 at 11:04 am

      One of the best dinners I've had in a while, and the kids loved it, thanks!

      Reply
    10. Lori

      July 20, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      This was delicious and my kids loved it. 🙂

      Reply
    11. Beth

      May 23, 2016 at 1:59 pm

      Delicious recipe! Love the simplicity and health of it but the taste is excellent as well! A keeper.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 23, 2016 at 5:52 pm

        Yay, thanks Beth!

        Reply
    12. Erica

      May 11, 2016 at 8:15 am

      I made this last week when a friend posted it, and even my picky 3 and 6 year olds ate(and more importantly, liked) it. Nice to know it's an easy go-to thing where I typically have all the ingredients on hand. Wonder if this would work in a Crock Pot on days where I want to prep it earlier and forget about it. I also thought about subbing half or all the water or chicken broth for a bit more flavor or adding other veggies. I liked it how it was, but it's always interesting to see how you can change things up a bit. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 11, 2016 at 9:03 am

        That's great Erica, so glad you all enjoyed it! It's a favorite here too.

        Reply
    13. Kathy

      February 16, 2016 at 2:46 am

      Is it cooked or uncooked rice that you use

      Reply
      • Lauren

        February 16, 2016 at 8:03 am

        Uncooked 🙂

        Reply
    14. Richard

      January 24, 2016 at 2:13 pm

      Very new to gluten and dairy free but came upon this and I love it, I've made it twice in two weeks! Thank you very much

      Reply
      • Lauren

        January 24, 2016 at 6:21 pm

        Thanks Richard, I'm so happy you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    15. Daniel

      July 10, 2015 at 1:11 pm

      Hi I REALLY like your blog. I was wondering if I could substitute the yellow onion for a red or white? My supermarket only sells them by the bunch.
      Will be trying this recipe for sure very soon.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 10, 2015 at 2:55 pm

        Thanks Daniel! Either should be fine in here, I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it!

        Reply
    16. Liz

      August 13, 2014 at 3:21 pm

      Lauren,
      I'm the exact same way -- I'm not much of an adventurer and am SUCH a homebody. I am happiest growing and establishing my abode as my haven and retreat. I'm also not much into material things (no entertainment systems, fancy cars, brand name items.), not a theatergoer or entertainer, either. I used to feel badly about not having a great sense of wanderlust, wishing that I had the desire to explore and branch out, be a bit more interesting, but, I've come to accept who I am. There's no point in feeling guilty about something you just don't want. 🙂 I'm just happiest being home and enchancing my little nest, and, right now, I'm okay with that. It's nice to know that I'm not entirely alone. 😀

      And, like you, I'm always on the look out for a bargain! Consequently, expensive and/or rarely used ingredients have no place in my kitchen, either, and I am ALL for the least amount of dirtied dishes. Also, while I love homecooked meals, anything that can get me in and out of the kitchen quickly, with the least amount of hands on time (ESPECIALLY in the summer) is RIGHT up my alley. 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 13, 2014 at 8:52 pm

        Haha, that's awesome Liz! You and I would make great friends! 😀 Thanks for such a cool comment.

        Reply
    17. Thalia @ butter and brioche

      August 10, 2014 at 12:53 am

      ooh definitely know what im making for dinner tonight!

      Reply
    18. Tammy

      August 09, 2014 at 10:05 am

      I know what I'm making for dinner tomorrow night! 🙂 I made your 'brown rice with mushrooms and peas' a couple days ago for lunch for my daughter and I, and we both loved it.

      Reply

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    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

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