One-Pot Chicken & Rice

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This one-pot chicken and rice dinner is creamy, cozy and packed with vegetables! Tarragon offers a sweet mellow flavor, but if you’re not a fan, basil can be used in its place.

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
  • This chicken dinner can be prepared in just one pot, simplifying cleanup.
  • Spinach and sweet peas contribute fiber and vitamins to the meal.
  • The combination of tarragon and lemon enhances the dish with fresh flavors.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch strips

  • 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion

  • 4 cups packed baby spinach

  • cups unsalted chicken broth, divided

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice

  • 1 cup frozen peas

  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (¼ cup), softened

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips; cook, undisturbed, until browned on the bottom, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Do not wipe the pot clean.

  2. Add 1 cup onion to the pot; cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add 4 cups spinach; cook, stirring constantly, until just wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups broth, 1 cup rice, 1 cup peas, 2 teaspoons lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon salt. Return the chicken to the pot. Bring to a lively simmer over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and gently simmer, undisturbed, until the chicken is cooked through, the liquid is absorbed and the rice is almost tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, until the rice is tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Add ⅔ cup Parmesan, the softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons tarragon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and the remaining ¼ cup broth; stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy.

    One-Pot Chicken & Rice
    Photography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia Bayless

Recipe Updates

Based on earlier review and comments of this recipe, we’ve retested and made the following adjustments (and updated the nutritional analysis accordingly):

  • Increased the resting time and increased the amount of broth (to help ensure the rice is fully cooked).

Updated September 2025

EatingWell.com, January 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

461 Calories
20g Fat
33g Carbs
40g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1⅓ cups
Calories 461
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 6g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 40g 80%
Total Fat 20g 25%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 163mg 54%
Vitamin A 310µg
Vitamin C 19mg 22%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 12%
Folate 102µg
Vitamin K 158µg
Sodium 777mg 34%
Calcium 245mg 19%
Iron 3mg 18%
Magnesium 85mg 20%
Potassium 730mg 16%
Zinc 4mg 35%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.