Description
A creamy, comforting one-pot meal ready in 30 minutes that uses cheap, simple ingredients like chicken, rice, and broccoli. Perfect for cooking for one or budget-conscious weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large chicken breast (approx. 6 oz / 170g), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup uncooked minute rice or quick-cook rice
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of paprika (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat butter in a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add broccoli to the same pan and sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add uncooked rice and stir. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Uncover the pan. Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
- Cover and cook for another 3-4 minutes until rice is tender and sauce has thickened. If too dry, add a splash of broth; if too soupy, uncover and cook longer.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or a squeeze of lemon juice. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not drain the broth completely; leave 1-2 tablespoons of starchy liquid to create a creamy texture. If using frozen broccoli, thaw slightly before adding. For leftovers, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months. Reheat with a splash of water or broth.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: budget meal, one pot dinner, chicken broccoli rice, quick dinner, cooking for one, cheap meals, weeknight dinner, creamy casserole