Quick Chicken and Yellow Rice with Broccoli

Here’s my go-to chicken and yellow rice with broccoli recipe, complete with perfectly seasoned rice, tender chicken pieces, and fresh broccoli florets that bring color and nutrition to the plate.

This dish has become my family’s weeknight favorite, and I usually make extra because the leftovers taste even better the next day. Nothing beats having a ready-made lunch waiting in the fridge, right?

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for chicken tenders, you’ve got several options that’ll work great here. Chicken tenders are perfect because they cook quickly and stay juicy, but you could easily swap in chicken breast cut into similar-sized strips. If you’re looking to save some money, chicken thighs are a budget-friendly alternative that bring more flavor to the dish – just be sure to trim any excess fat and cut them into uniform pieces for even cooking. For the best results, whichever cut you choose, make sure your chicken is fresh and pat it dry with paper towels before cooking to help it brown nicely in the pan.

Options for Substitutions

This easy dinner recipe can be adapted with several simple swaps if needed:

• Chicken tenders: You can easily swap chicken tenders with chicken breasts cut into strips, chicken thighs, or even shrimp. If using thighs, cook them a few minutes longer.
• Zatarain’s Yellow Rice: While this brand gives the dish its signature flavor, you can use other yellow rice brands. Or make your own by adding 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon to plain white rice – just follow the cooking time on your rice package.
• Frozen broccoli: Fresh broccoli works great too – just steam it slightly before adding. You can also use cauliflower, green beans, or a mixed vegetable blend.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend. For a lighter version, reduced-fat cheese works well too.
• Onion: If you’re out of fresh onion, 1 tablespoon of onion powder will work in a pinch. You can also use shallots or leeks for a different flavor.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making chicken and yellow rice is ending up with dry, overcooked chicken – to prevent this, cook your chicken strips just until they’re no longer pink inside (about 4-5 minutes per side) and remove them from the pan while cooking the rice.

A common mistake is adding the broccoli too early in the cooking process, which can lead to mushy vegetables – instead, stir in the thawed broccoli during the last 5 minutes of rice cooking time to maintain its texture and bright green color.

The rice-to-water ratio is crucial for perfect results, so resist the urge to add extra water thinking it will make the rice fluffier – stick to the recommended 2 1/2 cups of water and let the rice rest covered for 5 minutes after cooking.

For the best cheesy finish, avoid stirring the cheese into super-hot rice as it can become stringy and clumpy – instead, let the dish cool for 3-4 minutes before adding the cheese, then cover and let it melt gradually.

What to Serve With Chicken and Yellow Rice?

This one-pan meal is pretty complete on its own, but a few simple sides can make it even better! A fresh green salad with tomatoes and cucumber dressed in a light vinaigrette makes a perfect partner to balance out the rich, cheesy rice. If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, warm dinner rolls or crusty bread on the side are great for soaking up any extra sauce from the rice. I also like serving this with some quick-pickled red onions or a dollop of sour cream on top – both add a nice tangy contrast to the savory chicken and rice.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This chicken and yellow rice dish is perfect for leftovers! Pack it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge – it’ll stay good for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better as they mingle together overnight, making it a great meal prep option.

Freeze: Want to save some for later? Let the dish cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. The broccoli might be a bit softer after freezing, but the taste will still be great!

Reheat: To warm up your leftovers, sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice to keep it from drying out, then microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each. You can also reheat it in a pan on the stove over medium heat – just add a splash of water and stir occasionally until it’s heated through.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	35-40 minutes
Total Time	45-55 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1300-1500
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-160 g

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil, separated
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders, sliced into strips
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 package zatarain’s® yellow rice
• 1 package frozen broccoli florets, thawed (10 oz)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is browned on all sides.

Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic

In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil.

Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking and stirring for about 4 minutes until the onion is softened.

This will create a flavorful base for your dish.

Step 3: Cook the Rice

Add water to the skillet with the onions and garlic, bringing it to a boil while stirring to release any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Stir in the Rice Mix and bring the mixture back to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the flavors and cook thoroughly.

Step 4: Reheat Chicken and Broccoli

After the rice has simmered, place the browned chicken pieces and broccoli florets over the rice.

Cover the skillet and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the broccoli and chicken are heated through.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Melt

Sprinkle your choice of cheese over the top of the chicken, broccoli, and rice mixture.

Cover the skillet again and remove it from the heat.

Let it stand for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the dish is ready to serve.