🍲 EASY MEAL-PREP DINNER — PERFECT FOR LEFTOVERS!
If you’re cooking for two and want dinner tonight plus delicious lunches for the next few days, this hearty Chicken & Rice Bake is an excellent choice. Make one big dish, portion it out, and you’re set!
🛒 Ingredients
- 1½ lb (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 3½ cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Optional: ½ tsp chili flakes 🌶️
👩🍳 Instructions
- Season the chicken: Rub the chicken with olive oil, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sear: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Build the rice: In the same skillet, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic for about 3 minutes.
- Add the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes, peas, and chicken broth. Stir well.
- Add chicken: Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice.
- Cover tightly with foil or a lid and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 30–35 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
- Remove the cover, sprinkle with cheese, and bake another 5 minutes until melted.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. 😋
🍱 Meal-Prep Tip
Let the leftovers cool, then divide into containers. Refrigerate and enjoy for lunches over the next few days. Make-ahead chicken-and-grain meals are particularly well suited to this kind of weekly prep. (mavenrecipes)
Serves: 6–8
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 35–40 min