20 Best Chicken and Rice Recipe Ideas | Recipes, Dinners and Easy Meal Ideas

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Winner, Winner Chicken-and-Rice Dinner

Chicken and rice are two ingredients that are probably in your kitchen right now. And we’re willing to bet that you use them often. But, just because you’re cooking with staples doesn’t mean they can’t be exciting. Paired with a few special ingredients, spices and seasonings, chicken and rice can easily be transformed into any number of flavor-packed dishes. Whether you’re craving carb-heavy comfort food or simply need a family-friendly dinner made with familiar ingredients, you’ll find that these recipes fit the bill. Take this version of the classic chicken and rice, for example. We use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (which cook up in exactly the same amount of time as the rice!) to guarantee the poultry remains juicy. A quick broil at the end creates the perfect crispy skin and gives a little crunch to the rice and vegetables, making this a meal that no one can say ‘no’ to!

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The Best Chicken and Rice

Chicken and Snow Pea Fried Rice with Peanuts

If you’ve got leftover rice on hand then you can whip up fried rice for 4 in a matter of minutes. We opt for chicken thighs here because they won’t dry out during the cooking process. Finishing touches like chopped peanuts and sliced scallions make this chicken and rice dish restaurant-worthy!

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Chicken and Snow Pea Fried Rice with Peanuts

Roast Chicken with Rice and Salsa Verde

You don’t need to sacrifice flavor while trying to save some cash. We’ve made a simple roast chicken meal that tastes anything but. Served with fresh salsa verde and satisfying rice and veggies, you won’t be giving up anything while protecting your wallet.

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Roast Chicken with Rice and Salsa Verde

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup

Lemon and dill brighten the deep flavors of this low-and-slow soup for the soul.

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Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup

Chicken and Rice with Olives

Chicken dinners never have to be bland again! Dress yours up with salty olives and a splash of lemon juice. Bright, tangy and delicious!

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Chicken and Rice with Olives

Chicken and Rice Paprikash Casserole

Chicken paprikash becomes a one-dish dinner in this casserole. Bell peppers aren’t traditional, but they add a lot of vitamin C to the dish and natural sweetness. The brown rice soaks up the sauce and becomes incredibly rich and satisfying, but maintains a nice chew.

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Chicken and Rice Paprikash Casserole

One-Pan Chicken and Rice with Preserved Lemon

This skillet chicken and basmati rice dish is anything but plain and humble. A homemade seasoning mix, preserved lemon and spiced and pan-seared chicken breasts give the dish bold flavor that’s hard to resist. It’s quick enough to make as a delicious weeknight dinner but tasty enough for entertaining or a special-occasion meal.

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One-Pan Chicken and Rice with Preserved Lemon

Arroz con Pollo

What makes this dish extra tasty? Ingrid’s homemade “Delicioso Adobo” — a blend of humble pantry spices that work together to bring etra flavor to every bite.

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Arroz con Pollo

Masala Chicken and Cauliflower Rice Bowl

Broiled cauliflower helps bulk up these rice bowls, stretching 2 chicken breasts and a bit of rice — to feed 4 people.

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Masala Chicken and Cauliflower Rice Bowl

Instant Pot Chicken with Rice and Peas

It doesn’t get quicker than this! With the help of your Instant Pot, you can have this crowd-pleasing dish on the table in well under an hour — any night of the week.

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Instant Pot Chicken with Rice and Peas

Cuban Baked Chicken with Sweet Peppers and Yellow Rice

Tender cuts of chicken are browned and cooked with aromatics, bell peppers, spices, rice and peas in this mouthwatering one-pot feast referred to as arroz con pollo in Cuba and other parts of Latin America. We use turmeric and cumin for a bright pop of color instead of the typical sazon seasoning or homemade spice mix.

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Cuban Baked Chicken with Sweet Peppers and Yellow Rice

Chicken, Mushroom and Wild Rice Casserole

Jeff’s easy trick for making the tastiest chicken and rice casserole? He deglazes the pan with sherry before adding the rice. That way, the grains can absorb all the flavors of the aromatics and wine as it cooks.

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Chicken, Mushroom and Wild Rice Casserole

Healthy Grilled Chicken-and-Rice Foil Packs

If you’re looking to cook something besides burgers and dogs the next time you fire up the grill, this low-fat chicken dinner will do the trick. Be sure to use converted rice instead of regular for this recipe (each grain contains tiny pinholes so it cooks faster than conventional rice).

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Healthy Grilled Chicken-and-Rice Foil Packs

Baked Orange Chicken and Brown Rice

This high-protein, whole-grain dish is easy to throw together. We love using chicken thighs, because they’re budget friendly and stay moist while baking with the rice.

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Baked Orange Chicken and Brown Rice

Easy Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice

Ree transforms plain, old rotisserie chicken and rice with seasonings like chili powder, cumin and cayenne — for a meal that’s bursting with flavor.

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Easy Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice

Smoky Chicken, Broccoli Rabe and Wild Rice Casserole

Wondering how to easily elevate your classic chicken and rice casserole? How about fragrant rosemary and nutty sliced almonds?

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Smoky Chicken, Broccoli Rabe and Wild Rice Casserole

Foil-Packet Rice with Chorizo and Chicken

Frozen rice is a versatile shortcut ingredient and the key to these flavorful foil packs. The rice is layered in while still frozen to provide a buffer of time that keeps it from overcooking. As the rice thaws, the other ingredients start cooking and lightly char and then the rice can absorb all the bubbling liquids and rendering inside the pack.

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Foil-Packet Rice with Chorizo and Chicken

Chicken Wild Rice Hotdish

An easy and delicious way to turn leftover chicken and pantry crackers into a brand-new dish? Molly’s comforting hot dish!

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Chicken Wild Rice Hotdish

Chicken and Mushroom Fried Rice

We like to use chicken thighs in this dish because they stay nice and juicy, even when they’re cooked over high heat. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil and fresh ginger fora twist on fried rice you’ll make again and again.

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Chicken and Mushroom Fried Rice

Raffy’s Chicken and Rice

The secret ingredient in this take on chicken and rice is milk. It helps tenderize the chicken and gives the finished dish just a hint of creaminess.

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Raffy’s Chicken and Rice