Description
A savory and nutritious one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and fluffy white rice infused with cheesy goodness, perfect for a quick family dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Vegetables
- 1/2 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 large bunch of fresh broccoli, cut into florets
Proteins
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Grains and Liquids
- 1 cup uncooked extra long grain white rice
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Fats and Oils
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
Cheese and Seasonings
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Sauté onions and chicken: In a large skillet or pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken pieces to the pan. Cook until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add garlic and rice: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the pan. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the other side, then add the uncooked rice. Sauté the rice for 2-3 minutes until it starts to turn golden.
- Cook rice and chicken: Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let simmer for about 12 minutes.
- Add broccoli and finish cooking: While the rice is cooking, prepare the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. After the initial 12 minutes, stir in the broccoli, cover, and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until both broccoli and rice are tender.
- Incorporate cheese: Remove the pan from heat and stir in ½ cup of shredded cheese until melted. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and let sit for 2-3 minutes to melt completely and blend flavors.
- Serve: Mix everything together once more, serve hot, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh broccoli for the best texture and flavor.
- Feel free to add extra spices like paprika or thyme for more flavor variation.
- Make sure not to overcook the rice to keep it fluffy.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For a creamier version, stir in a splash of milk or a dollop of sour cream before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg