![- 1.5 lbs chicken thigh fillets, diced - 1 cup long-grain rice - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 bell pepper (any color), diced - 1 cup chicken broth - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1 tablespoon olive oil - Salt to taste - 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish) - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Using the right amounts makes a big difference. For the chicken, use 1.5 lbs. This gives you nice, juicy pieces. The rice is 1 cup, which helps soak up all the flavors. The onion should be one medium-sized, and it adds a great base flavor. Use two cloves of garlic for a nice kick. For the bell pepper, any color works! The chicken broth should be one cup to keep things moist. The diced tomatoes bring both texture and zest. The spices, like smoked paprika and Cajun seasoning, are key for flavor. You can swap chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you like. Breasts are leaner but can dry out. For the rice, brown rice is a good choice, but it needs a longer cooking time. If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth works well too. You can skip the bell pepper or use zucchini instead. For spices, if you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika will do. You can always adjust the heat by adding more or less Cajun seasoning. Check out the Full Recipe for more details. First, you need to prepare the chicken. I like using chicken thigh fillets for this dish. They stay juicy and tender. Dice 1.5 pounds of chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Season them with salt and black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken. Cook it for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want the chicken to brown nicely. Once it's done, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. This step adds great flavor to your dish. Now, let’s sauté the vegetables. In the same pot, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Use one medium onion, one bell pepper, and two cloves of garlic. Sauté these for about 3 to 4 minutes. You want the veggies to soften and release their flavors. This step is key for depth in your dish. Next, stir in the rice. Use 1 cup of long-grain rice. Add in 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme. Cook this mixture for one more minute. This helps the rice soak up all the spices. After the rice is mixed with the spices, it’s time to add the liquids. Pour in 1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies and 1 cup of chicken broth. Then, return the browned chicken to the pot. Mix everything well. Bring it to a gentle boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. The rice should become tender and absorb most of the liquid. After cooking, let it sit for another 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and taste for seasoning. Adjust if needed. Serve hot and garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley for a pop of color. Enjoy this delightful one pot chicken and dirty rice dish! For the complete recipe, check out the Full Recipe. To make your dish full of flavor, use high heat for browning the chicken. This locks in juices and creates a nice crust. When you sauté the veggies, stir them well. This helps release their natural sweetness. Adding spices like smoked paprika early also boosts the taste. The heat wakes up the spices, making them pop in your dish. For perfectly cooked rice, rinse it first. This removes excess starch and keeps it fluffy. Use the right ratio of liquid to rice. I suggest 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of liquid. This ensures the rice cooks well and absorbs all the flavors. Once you add the rice to the pot, don’t stir too much. Stirring can break the grains and make your rice gummy. When meal prepping, chop all your ingredients in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. This saves time on busy days. You can also cook a double batch of this dish. It keeps well and tastes even better the next day. Just reheat it gently on the stove. For a quick meal, consider preparing the rice in a rice cooker while you cook the chicken. This way, everything is ready at the same time. For the full recipe, check the details above. {{image_2}} You can boost the nutrition and flavor by adding more vegetables. Consider adding carrots, peas, or corn. These veggies add sweetness and color to your dish. You can also use spinach or kale for some leafy greens. Just chop them up and stir them in during the last few minutes of cooking. This way, they stay bright and fresh. If you want to change the protein, you have options! Try using diced turkey, sausage, or even shrimp. Each choice brings its own taste and texture. For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with chickpeas or lentils. Both will soak up the flavors nicely. Just adjust the cooking time as needed. Do you prefer heat or a milder taste? To add spice, mix in some cayenne pepper or hot sauce. You can also use spicy sausage for a kick. If you want it mild, stick with the original recipe. You can even leave out the Cajun seasoning. This dish is flexible enough to satisfy everyone at your table. After cooking, let your One Pot Chicken and Dirty Rice cool down. Once it cools, place it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to four days. This keeps the dish fresh and tasty. Make sure to label the container with the date. That way, you know when to eat it! If you want to save it for later, you can freeze it. First, let it cool completely. Then, portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can last up to three months in the freezer. Just remember to label it too! When you're ready to eat, take it out of the fridge or freezer. If frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. You can reheat it on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist. Stir often until it's heated through. You can also use the microwave. Heat it in short bursts, stirring in between. Enjoy your flavorful dish! For the full recipe, check out the details above. Yes, you can use brown rice. Brown rice adds a nutty taste and more fiber. However, brown rice takes longer to cook. You will need to adjust the liquid and cooking time. Use about 1.5 cups of broth and simmer for 40-45 minutes. This way, it cooks well with the chicken. One Pot Chicken and Dirty Rice is a full meal by itself. Still, you can pair it with sides. Consider serving a fresh salad for crunch. A simple coleslaw adds a nice contrast. You might also enjoy cornbread on the side. It soaks up the flavors well and adds warmth. To add heat, you can include chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. Adding extra Cajun seasoning boosts flavor and spice. You can also use spicy sausage along with the chicken. This will mix well and give a great kick. Adjust the spice to suit your taste. Feel free to experiment! For the full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. This blog post covered key ingredients, cooking steps, and useful tips for one-pot chicken and dirty rice. You learned how to prepare chicken, sauté veggies, and cook rice perfectly. I shared ways to add flavors and variations for everyone to enjoy. In cooking, small choices create big flavors. Remember, practice makes you better. Enjoy your cooking journey! You can make a dish everyone loves.](https://foodishtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/bf2620c3-78c6-456d-b2bd-a050803f246e.webp)
Ingredients
Method
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
In the same pot, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the rice, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, and dried thyme. Cook for another minute, allowing the rice to absorb the flavors.
Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), chicken broth, and the browned chicken back into the pot. Bring to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve hot, garnished with green onions and fresh parsley.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 4