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Back to Basics: 28 Classic Chicken and Rice Dinners

Sometimes dinner needs to be quick, and that’s okay. You might feel stuck between grabbing something from the freezer or spending hours cooking from scratch. There’s a happy in-between zone, and chicken and rice dinner recipes are perfect when you need something that’s frugal, from scratch, and just works.

grid of 6 chicken and rice images.

Whether you have half an hour or all afternoon, I’ll show you how to make this classic pair work in your kitchen.

Guide to the Basics

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of making these dishes:

If the recipe calls for browning the chicken, don’t skip it! It adds so much more flavor that often the whole dish is built on.
Choose a good chicken broth. If you make your own bone broth, all the better.
Chicken thighs stay juicier and are more forgiving in baked or slow-cooked recipes. But chicken breasts work best for quick-cooking dishes.

chicken thighs on top of rice, carrots, and peas.

One Pot Chicken Thighs with Veggies

This is a simple recipe made in one pan. It features chicken thighs, rice, carrots, and peas, making it a family favorite. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s full of flavor without too much cleanup. It’s ready in 45 minutes right on your stovetop.

bowl of creamy chicken soup.

Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This creamy soup is a chicken breasts, wild rice, fresh veggies, and plenty of herbs. It’s also the perfect way to use any leftover rotisserie chicken and just the thing for a busy winter evening.

chicken thigh and rice pilaf on plate.

Baked Chicken and Rice

This casserole is made with rice pilaf and chicken thighs. This version skips the canned cream soup for a from-scratch version.

close up of fried rice with chicken pieces and shrimp.

Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

If you don’t want to add the shrimp, skip it. But this fried rice is super good!

close up of creamy rice with chicken and mushrooms.

Creamy Mushroom Chicken and Rice

Pure comfort food. It’s super easy to make in just one pan, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.

bowl of chopped up veggies and chicken on top of rice.

Chopped Chicken Rice Bowls

These add a flavorful curry mustard sauce to a simple, balanced meal. Great for meal prep if you like to make thing ahead of gime.

gravy covered chicken thigh on top of rice.

Southern Smothered Chicken Thighs with Gravy and Rice

This is made with bone-in chicken thighs and a rich, creamy gravy. A great Sunday dinner.

teriyaki chicken with soy sauce and sesame seeds on top of rice.

Easy Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Low prep and couldn’t be easier. Enjoy your favorite takeout flavors in a homemade meal, all done in a slow cooker.

casserole dish of chicken thighs on bed of rice, peas, and carrots.

Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole

Tender, juicy chicken thighs seasoned with a simple herb blend. The rice cooks in the oven, making it easy and relaxing to make.

close up of sliced grilled chicken with rice in background.

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Dinner with Easy Coconut Rice

Chicken is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce with a splash of lime. It’s grilled with pineapple rings that caramelize perfectly and served with easy coconut rice.

close up of creamy chicken and rice soup garnished with parsley.

Thai Chicken and Rice Soup

This is a creamy, hearty dish that’s all made all in one pot on the stovetop. It’s so thick it’s almost like a casserole but you’ll eat it with a spoon.

close up of casserole showing mushrooms and rice covered in cheesy gravy.

Chicken Marsala And Rice Casserole

This brings all the flavors of a fancy Italian dish in a simple casserole. Chicken and jasmine rice are topped with a rich mushroom gravy, making it an easy version of a classic.

cheesy rice on top of chicken on plate.

Chicken Rice Pilaf Casserole

This is a simple homestyle casserole is a quick and easy weeknight meal. Only five ingredients, this a simple way to get dinner on the table.

chicken thigh surrounded by rice and veggie mix on plate.

Arroz con Pollo (Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice)

This Latin dish is packed with flavors that feel both familiar and exciting.

close up of shrimp and chicken pieces with scallions and seasoning.

Jambalaya Recipe

This is a super flavorful recipe with classic Cajun/Creole flavors. Made with Cajun seasoning plenty of meat, and lots of veggies. Probably my personal favorite on the list.

top view of bowl of rice topped with four chicken meatballs.

One Pot Chicken Meatballs Recipe With Jasmine Rice

Combines ground chicken and pineapple rice in a tasty coconut sauce. It’s an easy skillet dinner with a somewhat exotic twist. (But still family friendly!)

rice mixed with chicken and zucchini pieces.

Chicken Zucchini Rice Skillet

This is a filling dish that’s a great way to get your veggies in. It’s made with chopped chicken breasts, rice, zucchini, and mushrooms, all mixed in a creamy, cheesy sauce.

chicken breast covered in creamy sauce topped with almond slices over rice.

Creamy Orange Almond Chicken and Rice

I love the sauce on this one, a creamy orange almond sauce. It’s served with almond rice pilaf and the chicken comes out super tender.

mix of apple, carrot, and chicken pieces topped with rosemary leaves.

Dijon Chicken and Wild Rice

This is almost like a casserole but cooked on the stovetop. It’s filled with apples, carrots, and a rich Dijon sauce. The wild rice soaks up all the flavors so every biet is good.

two chicken enchiladas on plate with fork.

Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe

I have a creamy enchilada recipe I love, but this one is actually the quickest and easiest.

bowl of soup with shredded chicken, carrot pieces, and a lemon slice on top.

Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup

Only a few simple ingredients. It’s great for a light lunch or dinner and also perfect for when you’re feeling a bit under the weather.

bowl of chicken pieces, rice, and veggies with a crema sauce drizzled over.

Southwest Chicken Bowls [Spicy Chipotle]

I love making this and putting everything in separate containers to pack lunches throughout the week. Another one of my personal faves!

rice and peas topped with lemon chicken pieces.

Crispy Lemon Chicken

Crispy, tangy, sweet, and sticky. Like orange chicken but a little different.

mango salsa rice with chicken breasts on top.

Mango Salsa Chicken and Rice

This one uses only six ingredients, all cooked in one pot, and is full of flavor! Just dump everything in and let it simmer.

bowl of chicken pieces mixed with pineapple and red bell pepper chunks with rice on the side.

Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice

It’s made with juicy pineapple chunks and colorful bell peppers, which makes it beautiful and fresh looking.

close up of honey glazed chicken topped with sesame seeds.

Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken

This has so much flavor and the sauce is truly sweet and sticky. We love it with plan white rice.

cheesy chicken and rice scooped up on wooden spoon.

Creamy Chicken And Rice (One Pot!)

This is made in one pot with a rich parmesan sauce and can easily be adjusted with whatever you have in the fridge. The sauce is so good.

pan of rice with chicken thighs on top and garnished with fresh, chopped cilantro.

Spanish Chicken and Rice

This iss packed with flavor and spices, all made in one pot. It’s perfect for a cozy Sunday meal that everyone will enjoy.

Storage & Serving Ideas

These recipes are crying out for a green veggie on the side! Here are some of my favorites:

These will all reheat well on the stovetop or microwave. Add a splash of broth or water before reheating on the stovetop with the lid on. Cover the dish with a damp paper towel if you’re using a microwave.

These are a reminder that good cooking doesn’t need to be complicated. Pick the recipe that works for you today, however much time you have. Simple ingredients like this, cooked well, have been filling bellies and making people happy for a long time.

picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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