One Pot Italian Chicken and Rice

One Pot Italian Chicken and Rice is the kind of dinner that makes you feel like a kitchen hero with minimal effort. In just 45 minutes, you’ve got tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a burst of Italian flavors all coming together in one pan. No rice cookers, no juggling pots and pans; just a simple, hearty meal that’s ready when you are.

And the best part? Fewer dishes and more time to enjoy every comforting bite. This Italian chicken recipe is the perfect way to bring carbs, comfort, and flavor to the table without the fuss.

What Makes This Recipe Work

This Italian Chicken and Rice brings comfort food to the table in just one pan, making dinner both simple and flavorful. The rice cooks in the same pot as the chicken, soaking up Italian herbs, garlic, and sun-dried tomato goodness. It’s the kind of one pot chicken and rice recipe that saves you time while delivering bold flavor.

What makes this Italian chicken recipe shine is the balance of tender, juicy chicken with fluffy, seasoned rice. You get all the cozy flavors of classic Italian cooking in under 45 minutes. And because it’s truly a one pot Italian chicken dish, cleanup is effortless; more time for eating, less time scrubbing.

What Goes Into Italian Chicken and Rice

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This one pot Italian chicken recipe keeps things simple while layering big flavor into every bite.

• Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks: Juicy, flavorful cuts of chicken that stay tender while cooking and infuse the rice with rich flavor.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Packed in oil, these add tangy depth and a hint of sweetness that makes this Italian chicken and rice shine.
• Long Grain Rice: Absorbs all the savory juices from the chicken, herbs, and stock, giving you fluffy rice that’s full of Italian flavor.
• Olives and Red Pepper: Briny olives and sweet bell pepper bring balance and brightness to this one pot Italian chicken dish.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

How To Make Italian Chicken and Rice

1. Preheat and Heat Oil: Preheat oven to 200°C | 400°F and warm olive oil in a ovenproof skillet or cast iron pan. Make sure the pan is hot enough to sear the chicken.

2. Sear the Chicken: Add chicken thighs and drumsticks to the skillet and fry for 3–4 minutes per side. Cook until they are golden brown all over.

3. Cook the Vegetables: Stir in onion wedges, chopped bell pepper, and smashed garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion is soft and lightly golden.

4. Flavor the Rice: Remove chicken from the pan and set aside. Stir in olives, sun-dried tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, parsley, and rice, letting the rice soak up the juices.

5. Combine with Sauce: Return chicken on top of the rice mixture, then add tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring everything to a gentle boil while turning the chicken.

6. Bake Until Tender: Cover the skillet tightly with foil and place in the oven. Bake for about 40 minutes until the rice is fluffy and cooked through.

7. Broil for Crispiness: Remove the foil and change oven setting to grill or broil on medium heat. Broil for 8–10 minutes until the chicken skin is crispy and golden.

8. Garnish and Serve: Season lightly with salt, sprinkle with parsley and parmesan, and serve this one pot Italian chicken and rice straight from the pan.

To round out your one pot Italian chicken and rice, serve it with something cheesy, garlicky, and irresistible. A warm side of Cheesy Pizza Pull Apart Bread is always a crowd-pleaser, giving you gooey cheese and pillowy bread to soak up all those savory juices.

For a fresh and vibrant pairing, Greek Salad adds crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and a light dressing that balances the richness of the chicken and rice. You can also bring in a fun twist with Crispy Broccoli Parmesan Fritters, which deliver a crunchy bite and cheesy flavor in every forkful.