8 Chicken and Rice Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

Article posted in: Diet & Nutrition
rice recipes

There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a classic home-style meal. And the tried-and-true flavor combination of chicken and rice is one that always fits the bill. It’s a dish that is both delicious and filling, just as comfort food should be. Of course, it’s easy to feel as though your chicken and rice meals are lacking. If you don’t do anything to switch up the flavors, having the same meal again and again can get boring.

But worry not because we’ve rounded up some chicken and rice recipes that are anything but boring. Each of them takes the classic dish and adds a different twist. That means you can keep on serving chicken and rice and be sure that everyone in the family will be pleased.

Love chicken and rice but have no time to cook? Well, Nutrisystem has you covered there, too. We offer delicious menu items which will satisfy your craving for a home-style meal in just minutes.

If you do have the time to cook, or even to plan ahead by cooking these meals in advance, consider these chicken and rice recipes your family will love:

1. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry >

chicken and broccoli stir fry

This is probably the most classic of our chicken and rice recipes. This Asian-style dish combines two food favorites—chicken and broccoli—and serves them atop hearty brown rice. It’s a well-loved meal that you really can’t go wrong making. This single-pan meal is also easy to make and packs in a lot of nutrition. While broccoli serves as a great source of vitamins C and K, the chicken provides some energy-building protein to your diet.

2. Fiesta Chicken and Rice Bowl >

chicken and rice

If you want to spice up your classic chicken and rice meal, this is the recipe for you. The boneless chicken breast is marinated in a zesty blend of spices like garlic, cumin, paprika and chili powder. Served atop fiber-rich brown rice with some shredded lettuce, Pico de Gallo and avocado, this chicken dish is absolutely bursting with flavor. It’s sure to be a big hit and impress your family—even though it’s very simple to make. As a one-pan skillet dish, it can be whipped up in no time at all.

3. Escalloped Chicken and Rice >

escalloped

Escalloped is a cooking term used to describe the action of baking food in a sauce or liquid, often with crumbs on top. With this escalloped chicken and rice meal, the chicken is sautéed with veggies, including celery, carrots and mushrooms and then cooked in a simple sauce that combines flour, almond milk, garlic powder and black pepper. Mix in the rice and finish it all off with some breadcrumbs and some time in the broiler for a truly impressive-looking meal that is quite easy to make. With all of the veggies this dish contains, it is also one you can feel good about eating. Mushrooms are rich in selenium, an antioxidant suspected to prevent coronary heart disease, while carrots provide a heavy dose of vitamin A, vitamin C and even iron.

4. Instant Pot Chicken Creole >

Instant Pot Chicken Creole

The Instant Pot is known for producing delicious-but-quick meals and this spicy dish is no exception. It combines boneless chicken breast with the zesty flavors of onions, minced garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes and creole seasoning. All served over brown rice, it makes a satisfying meal that can be ready in a matter of minutes. With all that flavor you might think this is a dish that will set you back, but a serving is a mere 277 calories. It will fill you up and leave you fully satisfied while also being completely guilt-free.

5. One-Pan Rice, Chicken and Vegetables >

chicken and vegetables

This hearty dish is packed with flavor but won’t take you on a diet detour. That’s because a serving is only 282 calories. Even so, it’s not short on flavor. This skillet meal combines bite-sized pieces of chicken with fiber-rich brown rice, onions, garlic, kale and low-fat cheese. Clearly, it has a lot going on. But beyond taste, there’s a lot of nutrition in this meal as well. It’s got the lean protein courtesy of the chicken, but it also has the superfood, kale, in there. Kale is low in calories, high in fiber and has zero fat. Plus, it’s chock-full of vitamins and nutrients. Unlike a lot of other chicken and rice recipes, this is a dish you will enjoy for both its flavor and its health factor.

6. One-Pan Paprika Tomato Chicken and Rice >

one pan

Another dish that spices up the traditional chicken and rice meal, this version features a flavorful blend of garlic, onion, bell peppers, tomatoes and a zesty spice mix. Using both sun-dried tomatoes as well as the stewed variety, this meal packs in plenty of vitamins A and C. Tomatoes are also rich in fiber and aid in healthy digestion. But given the fact that this meal is so tasty, your family will likely be paying more attention to the flavor than they are the nutrition.

7. Cheesy Chicken Stuffed with Rice and Veggies >

cheesy chicken

This chicken and rice dish makes a beautiful presentation but is surprisingly simple to make. A delicious rice mix made up of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, spinach and basil is spooned on top of fresh chicken breast, wrapped, and sautéed until brown—then baked atop the remaining rice until fully cooked. Your family (or guests) will be delighted with the appearance—and the taste—of this delicious meal. Despite being full of flavor, a serving of this tasty chicken and rice dish is less than 245 calories.

8. Easy Chicken Fajita Bake >

chicken fajitas

This simple-but-delicious dish tops hearty brown rice with tender chicken breast, a mix of vegetables, and some savory spices for a memorable meal that is sure to become a family favorite. It’s another spicy twist on less flavorful chicken and rice recipes. Made by layering seasoned chicken with bell pepper and onion—and topping it all with cheddar cheese—it has a lot of flavor without being bogged down by excess fat and calories.