Chicken and rice is one of those dependable meals that can save supper when the groceries are running low. It is simple, filling, affordable, and easy to stretch for a family.
When I was first out of college and a new teacher, I could make exactly three meals: tacos, stir fry, and a very simple skillet chicken and rice. Those three meals saw me through my first year of teaching when I had very little time and even less money.
Now, if I want to make a comforting meal, I still come back to good old chicken and rice. My kids love it. It just tastes like home and warmth and coziness.
I have added a few more meals to my repertoire since then, thank goodness, but we still love to go back to the basics some nights.
You do not need a fancy recipe to make chicken and rice taste good. If you have chicken, rice, salt, pepper, and a little butter, oil, or broth, you can make a warm meal. If you have a few extras like frozen vegetables, cheese, salsa, cream soup, soy sauce, or taco seasoning, you can turn basic chicken and rice into something that feels completely different.
Chicken and Rice-The Freezer and Pantry MVPs
If you are standing in the kitchen wondering what to cook when you only have chicken and rice, here are some easy ideas to get supper on the table.
1. Simple Chicken and Rice Skillet
This is the basic, no-stress version. Cook chopped chicken in a skillet with a little oil or butter, then add cooked rice and season it well.
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are enough to make it work. If you have chicken broth, add a splash to keep everything moist. If you have butter, stir in a little at the end for extra flavor.
It may not be fancy, but it is warm, filling, and dependable.
Good add-ins: frozen peas, carrots, corn, broccoli, shredded cheese, or hot sauce.
2. Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken fried rice is one of the best ways to use leftover rice. It works especially well if the rice is cold because it holds up better in the skillet.
Cook small pieces of chicken in a skillet. Add cooked rice, a little oil, and any vegetables you have. If you have an egg, push the rice to one side and scramble the egg right in the pan. Then stir everything together with soy sauce.
If you do not have soy sauce, you can still make a simple version with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little butter or oil.
Good add-ins: eggs, peas, carrots, green onions, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic, or soy sauce.
3. Creamy Chicken and Rice
Creamy chicken and rice is the kind of meal that feels comforting without being complicated. It is a good option if you have cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, or shredded cheese.
Cook the chicken, then stir in cooked rice and something creamy. Add a little water, milk, or broth to loosen it up. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika if you have it.
You can make this on the stovetop or bake it in a casserole dish.
Good add-ins: cheese, broccoli, peas, mushrooms, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, or sour cream.
4. Salsa Chicken and Rice
If you have salsa, taco seasoning, or canned tomatoes, chicken and rice can quickly become a simple Mexican-style meal.
Cook the chicken with taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, or just salt and pepper. Add cooked rice and salsa. Stir everything together until it is hot and flavorful.
You can serve it in bowls, wrap it in tortillas, or top it with cheese if you have some.
Good add-ins: black beans, corn, cheese, sour cream, tortillas, hot sauce, or canned tomatoes.
5. Chicken and Rice Soup
Chicken and rice soup is perfect when you only have a little bit of chicken but need to stretch it into a full meal.
Add cooked chicken, rice, water or broth, and seasonings to a pot. Simmer until everything is hot and the rice has softened. If you have vegetables, add those too.
If you do not have broth, use water with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little butter or oil. It will still be a cozy, simple meal.
Good add-ins: carrots, celery, onion, peas, corn, bouillon, parsley, or lemon juice.
6. Cheesy Chicken and Rice
If you have shredded cheese, sliced cheese, or even a little cheese dip, you can make an easy cheesy chicken and rice dinner.
Cook the chicken, add cooked rice, and stir in cheese with a splash of milk, broth, or water. Keep the heat low so the cheese melts gently.
This is a great kid-friendly meal because it is simple, creamy, and filling.
Good add-ins: broccoli, peas, bacon bits, ranch seasoning, or hot sauce.
7. BBQ Chicken and Rice Bowls
Barbecue sauce is an easy way to make chicken and rice taste completely different.
Cook or shred the chicken, mix it with barbecue sauce, and serve it over rice. Add a little butter and salt to the rice if it needs more flavor.
This is especially good when you have corn, beans, or leftover vegetables to add on top.
Good add-ins: corn, black beans, cheese, pickles, coleslaw, or ranch.
8. Lemon Pepper Chicken and Rice
Lemon pepper chicken and rice is a good option when you want something simple but a little brighter than plain chicken and rice.
Season the chicken with lemon pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Cook it in a skillet, then serve it over rice. If you have lemon juice, squeeze a little over the top before serving.
This works well when you want a meal that is not creamy or heavy.
Good add-ins: broccoli, peas, green beans, butter, parsley, or lemon juice.
9. Baked Chicken and Rice
Baked chicken and rice is a good hands-off meal if you have raw chicken and uncooked rice.
Add rice, liquid, seasonings, and chicken to a baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
A basic starting point is about 1 cup of white rice to 2 cups of liquid, but check the rice package if you can. Brown rice usually takes longer and needs more liquid.
For safety, chicken should be fully cooked before serving. If you have a meat thermometer, the thickest part of the chicken should reach 165°F.
Good add-ins: cream of chicken soup, onion soup mix, broth, cheese, butter, peas, or broccoli.
10. Chicken and Rice Casserole
A chicken and rice casserole is a great way to use cooked chicken and cooked rice.
Mix cooked chicken, cooked rice, something creamy, seasonings, and any vegetables you have. Put it in a baking dish and bake until hot. Add cheese on top if you have it.
This is a good meal to make ahead, reheat the next day, or serve when you need something simple and filling.
Good add-ins: cream soup, cheese, sour cream, broccoli, peas, corn, crushed crackers, or breadcrumbs.
11. Chicken Rice Bowls
Chicken rice bowls are helpful when everyone in the family likes different toppings.
Start with rice in each bowl, then add chicken. Put out whatever toppings you have and let everyone build their own bowl.
You can make them Mexican-style, Asian-style, barbecue-style, or just simple with butter and salt.
Topping ideas: cheese, salsa, sour cream, beans, corn, soy sauce, hot sauce, ranch, cucumbers, carrots, or leftover vegetables.
12. Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice
If you have butter and garlic powder, you can make chicken and rice taste much better with almost no extra work.
Cook the chicken in butter or oil. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Serve it over rice with a little melted butter stirred in.
This is one of the easiest meals to make when the pantry is almost empty.
Good add-ins: parmesan cheese, parsley, peas, broccoli, or lemon juice.
13. Chicken and Rice with Gravy
Chicken and rice with gravy is a good old-fashioned comfort meal.
If you have a packet of gravy mix, chicken broth, flour, or cream soup, you can make this work. Cook the chicken, make a simple gravy, and spoon it over rice.
A basic homemade gravy can be made with butter or oil, flour, broth or water, salt, and pepper.
Good add-ins: peas, carrots, green beans, or leftover vegetables.
14. Chicken and Rice Burritos
If you have tortillas, turn chicken and rice into easy burritos.
Mix cooked chicken, rice, salsa, beans, cheese, or taco seasoning. Spoon the mixture into tortillas and roll them up. You can eat them as-is or toast them in a skillet.
This is a great way to stretch a small amount of chicken because the rice helps fill out the burritos.
Good add-ins: beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream, corn, or hot sauce.
15. Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers
If you have bell peppers, chicken and rice can become stuffed peppers.
Mix cooked chicken, cooked rice, tomato sauce or salsa, and seasonings. Fill the peppers and bake until the peppers are tender.
If you do not want to stuff the peppers, just chop them up and cook everything together in a skillet instead.
Good add-ins: cheese, tomato sauce, salsa, onions, corn, or beans.
Easy Ways to Make Chicken and Rice Taste Better
Chicken and rice can taste plain if it does not have enough seasoning, sauce, fat, or texture. The good news is that it does not take much to make it better.
Here are a few easy ways to add flavor:
- Add butter, oil, cheese, sour cream, or cream soup.
- Use broth instead of water when cooking rice.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, taco seasoning, or lemon pepper.
- Stir in salsa, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, or gravy.
- Add vegetables for color and texture.
- Top with cheese, crushed crackers, fried onions, or green onions.
Even one or two small extras can make a big difference.
What Vegetables Go with Chicken and Rice?
Chicken and rice works with almost any vegetable, which makes it a great clean-out-the-freezer meal.
Some easy vegetables to add are:
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Carrots
- Corn
- Green beans
- Bell peppers
- Onions
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Frozen mixed vegetables
Frozen vegetables are especially helpful because you can stir them into a skillet, soup, casserole, or fried rice without much prep.
How to Stretch Chicken and Rice for a Family
Chicken can get expensive, so it helps to know how to stretch it.
Cut the chicken into small pieces. Smaller pieces spread through the whole dish better than large pieces.
Add extra rice. Rice is one of the cheapest ways to make a meal more filling.
Add beans if you have them. Black beans, pinto beans, or white beans can make the meal heartier.
Add vegetables. Frozen vegetables make the meal look bigger and feel more complete.
Turn it into soup. A small amount of chicken and rice can feed more people when you add broth or water and make soup.
Basic Chicken and Rice Formula
You do not always need a recipe. Use this simple formula:
Chicken + rice + seasoning + sauce or fat + optional vegetables
Here are a few examples:
Chicken + rice + taco seasoning + salsa + corn
Chicken + rice + garlic powder + butter + broccoli
Chicken + rice + soy sauce + egg + peas
Chicken + rice + cream soup + cheese + frozen vegetables
Chicken + rice + barbecue sauce + beans + corn
Once you know the basic formula, you can use what you already have instead of running to the store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chicken and rice with uncooked rice?
Yes, you can make chicken and rice with uncooked rice, but you need enough liquid and enough cooking time. White rice usually needs about 2 cups of liquid for every 1 cup of rice. Brown rice usually takes longer and needs more liquid.
If you are baking chicken and rice, cover the dish tightly with foil so the rice can steam and soften.
Can I use leftover chicken for chicken and rice?
Yes. Leftover chicken works great in chicken and rice recipes. Since the chicken is already cooked, add it near the end so it warms through without drying out.
Leftover rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, baked chicken, or shredded chicken all work well.
Can I use leftover rice?
Yes. Leftover rice is perfect for skillets, fried rice, casseroles, and rice bowls. Cold leftover rice works especially well for fried rice because it is less likely to turn mushy.
If the rice seems dry, add a splash of broth, water, or a little butter while reheating.
What can I add to chicken and rice if it tastes bland?
If chicken and rice tastes bland, try adding more salt, garlic powder, onion powder, butter, broth, cheese, salsa, soy sauce, taco seasoning, lemon pepper, or hot sauce.
Most of the time, plain chicken and rice just needs more seasoning or a sauce to bring it together.
What sauce goes well with chicken and rice?
Many sauces work well with chicken and rice. Some easy options are salsa, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, gravy, ranch, hot sauce, teriyaki sauce, buffalo sauce, or a simple cheese sauce.
Use whatever fits the flavor you want and what you already have in the kitchen.
Can I make chicken and rice without broth?
Yes. Broth adds flavor, but you can still make chicken and rice with water. Just be sure to season it well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little butter or oil.
Bouillon cubes or chicken base are also helpful if you have them.
Is chicken and rice good for meal prep?
Yes. Chicken and rice is one of the easiest meals to prep ahead. You can make a large batch and use it for lunches or dinners throughout the week.
To keep it from getting boring, change the toppings or sauces. One day you can use salsa and cheese, another day barbecue sauce, and another day soy sauce and vegetables.
Can I freeze chicken and rice?
Yes, chicken and rice can be frozen, especially in casseroles, soups, or seasoned rice bowls. Let it cool first, then store it in freezer-safe containers.
When reheating, add a splash of water or broth because rice can dry out after freezing.
How do I keep chicken and rice from drying out?
Add moisture. A splash of broth, water, milk, cream soup, salsa, gravy, or sauce can help bring chicken and rice back to life.
Also try not to overcook the chicken. Small pieces of chicken cook quickly and can dry out if left on the heat too long.
What is the easiest chicken and rice meal?
The easiest version is cooked chicken, cooked rice, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a splash of broth or water. Heat everything together in a skillet until warm.
It is simple, but it works.
So if you are standing in the kitchen wondering what to cook when you only have chicken and rice, here are some easy ideas to get supper on the table.
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