10 Easy One-Pot Chicken Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

1. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice

This tangy and fragrant dish is a crowd-pleaser that comes together in just one pot.

Ingredients:

• • 4 chicken thighs, bone-in skin-on

• • 1 cup jasmine rice

• • 1 large onion, chopped

• • 4 cloves garlic, minced

• • 2 cups chicken broth

• • 1 lemon, zested and juiced

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil

• • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, and brown them in the oil for about 5-7 minutes on each side.

1. 1. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot, sauté until soft.

1. 1. Add the rice, chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest. Stir well to combine.

1. 1. Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture, cover, and simmer on low for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.

1. 1. Garnish with parsley before serving.

2. One-Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

This creamy, dreamy pasta dish is ready in no time and requires minimal fuss.

Ingredients:

• • 2 cups pasta of choice

• • 2 chicken breasts, diced

• • 1 cup heavy cream

• • 2 cups chicken broth

• • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

• • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, cook the diced chicken over medium heat until browned.

1. 1. Add the pasta, chicken broth, cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the pot.

1. 1. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened (about 12-15 minutes).

1. 1. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.

1. 1. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

3. One-Pot Chicken Fajita Rice

This flavorful dish blends the vibrant tastes of fajitas with easy-to-cook rice.

Ingredients:

• • 4 chicken thighs, sliced

• • 1 cup rice

• • 1 bell pepper, sliced

• • 1 onion, sliced

• • 2 cups chicken broth

• • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, sauté the chicken in a little oil until browned.

1. 1. Add the sliced bell pepper and onion, cooking until softened.

1. 1. Stir in the rice, chicken broth, fajita seasoning, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

1. 1. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

4. One-Pot Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry

Healthy and vibrant, this stir fry is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

• • 2 chicken breasts, sliced

• • 1 cup broccoli florets

• • 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• • 1 cup snap peas

• • 3 tablespoons soy sauce

• • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• • 2 tablespoons honey

• • 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large skillet or wok, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add in the sliced chicken and cook until browned.

1. 1. Add broccoli, bell pepper, and snap peas, stirring frequently.

1. 1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic. Pour over the chicken and vegetables.

1. 1. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until everything is coated and heated through.

5. One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore

This Italian classic features tender chicken in a rich, tomato-based sauce.

Ingredients:

• • 4 chicken thighs, skin-on

• • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 1 bell pepper, sliced

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and brown the chicken thighs on both sides.

1. 1. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, cooking until softened.

1. 1. Stir in the diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper.

1. 1. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

1. 1. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

6. One-Pot Barbecue Chicken and Quinoa

This healthy, protein-packed dish is infused with smoky barbecue flavor.

Ingredients:

• • 4 chicken breasts, diced

• • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

• • 2 cups chicken broth

• • 1 cup barbecue sauce

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, sauté the onion until fragrant. Add the diced chicken, salt, and pepper, cooking until browned.

1. 1. Stir in the quinoa and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer.

1. 1. After 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the barbecue sauce and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.

1. 1. Garnish with green onions before serving.

7. One-Pot Mediterranean Chicken with Couscous

This vibrant dish is full of Mediterranean flavors and comes together quickly.

Ingredients:

• • 4 chicken breasts, boneless

• • 1 cup couscous

• • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained

• • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• • 1 tsp paprika

• • 1 tsp cumin

• • 2 cups chicken broth

• • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, sauté the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides.

1. 1. Add chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, paprika, cumin, and chicken broth, bringing it to a boil.

1. 1. Stir in the couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

1. 1. Fluff with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

8. One-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

This comforting classic is perfect for chilly nights and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• • 2 chicken breasts, shredded

• • 1 cup carrots, sliced

• • 1 cup celery, sliced

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 4 cups chicken broth

• • 2 cups egg noodles

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until soft.

1. 1. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the egg noodles.

1. 1. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the shredded chicken and season with salt and pepper.

1. 1. Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.

9. One-Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

This hearty dish is packed with flavor and makes for a complete meal in one pot.

Ingredients:

• • 4 chicken thighs, diced

• • 1 andouille sausage, sliced

• • 1 cup long-grain rice

• • 2 cups chicken broth

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 1 bell pepper, chopped

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, brown the chicken and sausage over medium heat.

1. 1. Add in the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, cooking until soft.

1. 1. Stir in the rice, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

10. One-Pot Coconut Curry Chicken

This exotic dish is vibrant, flavorful, and perfect for spice lovers.

Ingredients:

• • 4 chicken breasts, diced

• • 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk

• • 2 tablespoons curry powder

• • 1 bell pepper, sliced

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cups spinach leaves

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, brown the chicken over medium heat before adding the onion and bell pepper.

1. 1. Stir in the curry powder, coconut milk, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

1. 1. Add the spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted.

1. 1. Serve over rice or noodles if desired.