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Nutritious Homemade Meal

Nutritious Homemade Meal

One-Pan Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bowl is an easy weeknight dinner that combines seasoned chicken, fluffy rice, carrots, and broccoli all cooked in one skillet. You start by browning bite-sized chicken pieces with simple spices, then sauté onions and carrots in the same pan. Add rice and chicken broth, let it simmer, then nestle the chicken and broccoli back in to finish cooking together.
The whole thing takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, feeds three people, and comes in around 420 calories per serving. It's perfect when you want something healthy and filling without using every dish in your kitchen. Plus, you can swap the vegetables or protein based on what you've got in your fridge—it's pretty forgiving that way.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 3
Course: Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion
Calories: 410
Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 500 g boneless chicken breast or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
For the Rice and Vegetables
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice I use basmati, but jasmine works too
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 medium carrot diced into small cubes
  • 1 cup broccoli florets fresh or frozen
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish optional, but it makes it look restaurant-worthy

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by getting your chicken ready. Cut it into pieces that are roughly the same size—this isn't about perfection, but you want them to cook evenly. I learned this the hard way when I had some pieces that were still pink inside while others were turning into chicken jerky.
    In a bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix it well with your hands. Yes, it's a bit messy, but you get better coverage this way. Let it sit while you prep the vegetables—even five minutes helps the flavors settle in.
    Nutritious Homemade Meal
  2. Dice your carrot into small pieces. Not too tiny or they'll disappear, but small enough that they cook through. Chop the onion and mince the garlic. If your broccoli florets are huge, break them down into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
    Rinse your rice under cold water until the water runs clear. I used to skip this step because it seemed unnecessary, but it really does make the rice less sticky and more fluffy.
    Nutritious Homemade Meal
Serving Suggestions
  1. I like to serve this straight from the pan—it's a one-dish meal, after all. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley or cilantro if you have it. Sometimes I'll add a squeeze of lemon juice over the top, which brightens everything up.
  2. If you want to make it fancier (maybe you have company coming over), serve it in individual bowls with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and some sliced green onions. A dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream on the side works surprisingly well too.
  3. For a complete meal, pair it with a simple green salad or some cucumber slices with a bit of salt and lemon. Though honestly, this dish is filling enough on its own.
Quick tip
  1. If you're using frozen broccoli, don't thaw it first. Just toss it in during the last few minutes of cooking so it doesn't get soggy.