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Easy One Meal Whole Family Plan for Cozy Dinners Perfect for Busy Nights

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A quick, simple, and hearty one-pan meal that brings the whole family together, perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups chopped bell peppers (red and yellow mix)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup baby spinach or kale, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice or brown rice
  • 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: fresh parsley or cilantro, grated Parmesan or shredded cheese, red chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Rinse and chop the bell peppers, onion, spinach, and tomatoes. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic. (About 10 minutes prep)
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Warm for about 2 minutes until shimmering.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add bell peppers and cook for another 4 minutes until slightly softened.
  5. Stir in rice, smoked paprika, and oregano. Mix well to coat the rice with oil and spices. Cook for 2 minutes to toast the rice slightly.
  6. Pour in chicken broth, stir everything together, and nestle the partially cooked chicken pieces back into the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. Once rice is tender and chicken cooked through, stir in spinach and cherry tomatoes. Cover and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until greens wilt and tomatoes soften.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or chili flakes. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

If rice is still firm but liquid is gone, add a splash of water, cover, and let sit off heat for 5 minutes. Use chicken thighs for juiciness and avoid rushing the simmer to prevent undercooked rice. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth. Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken can be added at the last step to reduce cooking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: one pot meal, family dinner, quick dinner, chicken recipe, cozy dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal

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