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Cozy One-Pot Family Dinner Recipe

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A warm, comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and rice, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and halved
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Optional: fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: dice onion, slice carrots and mushrooms, trim green beans, mince garlic, cut chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces, and rinse rice under cold water until clear.
  2. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Brown chicken pieces in a single layer until golden on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until translucent and fragrant. Add carrots, mushrooms, and green beans; cook until vegetables start to soften but still have a bite.
  4. Add smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well. Add rinsed rice and stir to coat grains with oil and spices.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and canned diced tomatoes with juices. Stir gently to combine. Return browned chicken to the pot, nestling into rice and vegetables.
  6. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
  7. Turn off heat and let the pot sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

If rice starts sticking or burning, reduce heat and add a splash more broth or water. Do not lift lid during simmering to maintain steam. For vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth. Brown rice or quinoa can be used but require longer cooking time and more liquid. Fresh herbs should be added at the end to preserve flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot meal, family dinner, chicken recipe, easy dinner, quick meal, comfort food, healthy dinner

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/cozy-one-pot-family-dinner-recipe-easy-homemade-meals-for-busy-nights/