Description
This Easy Rice Cooker Chicken and Rice recipe is a convenient and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Using a rice cooker, tender chicken breasts are cooked alongside aromatic rice and seasonings, resulting in a comforting and satisfying dish with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Grains
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or brown rice, but adjust cooking time)
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Fats
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch. This helps prevent it from becoming too sticky while cooking.
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Optionally, sear the chicken breasts in a skillet with olive oil for a few minutes on each side to develop extra flavor, but this step is not required.
- Layer Ingredients in Rice Cooker: Add the rinsed rice to the rice cooker bowl.
- Add Liquid: Pour in the chicken broth or water over the rice.
- Place Chicken: Lay the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the rice in the rice cooker.
- Add Aromatics and Optional Peas: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and frozen peas (if using) to the rice cooker. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil or place a small pat of butter on top of the chicken for added flavor.
- Cook the Meal: Close the rice cooker lid and set it to the “Cook” setting. Allow the rice cooker to cook until it automatically switches to the “Warm” setting, which typically takes around 30 to 40 minutes depending on your rice cooker model.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the chicken and rice rest for 5 minutes after cooking. Then, garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- If using brown rice, extend the cooking time accordingly, as it takes longer to cook.
- Searing the chicken before cooking adds flavor but is optional to save time.
- You can substitute chicken broth with water, but broth adds more flavor.
- Add other vegetables like diced carrots or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
- Ensure the rice and chicken are fully cooked by checking internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Rice Cooker
- Cuisine: American
