Recipes > One Pan Meals > Boiled Chicken and Rice
By: Jodi/Published on September 6, 2021 Updated on January 11, 2024/4 Comments
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Boiled chicken and rice is a super simple flavor-packed dinner that kids love. A whole chicken is boiled in water, shredded, then cooked with rice and seasonings.
An old-fashioned boiled chicken and rice recipe that makes plenty for leftovers or freeze for later. A great recipe to keep in mind the next time you are looking to meal prep!
Ready for more healthy chicken and rice dishes? Add this boiled chicken recipe along with Healthy Chicken and Rice, Baked Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole, Crockpot Chicken and Rice, and Instant Pot Chicken Soup With Rice to the dinner rotation.
Boiled chicken and rice is bursting with flavor yet requires minimal equipment and ingredients. The simplicity of this gluten free dish is the main reason to add this to your menu this week.
Table of Contents
Equipment
- large stockpot with lid
- measuring cups and spoons
- stir spoon
- tongs
- large bowl
Ingredients
- 1mediumchicken
- water
- 2-3cupslong grain rice
- 1tablespoonsalt
- 1teaspoonpepper
- 1limeoptional
How To Make
- Start by adding the whole chicken to a stockpot. Cover with water to the top of the chicken. Then, cover the stockpot with a lid and simmer for 1-1.5 hours.
- After simmering, remove the chicken and place into a large bowl – keep the homemade chicken broth in the pot.
- Remove the meat from the chicken and shred. Then, place the shredded chicken back into the pot of broth.
- Add 2 cups of rice to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes (or per rice package instructions). Halfway through cooking the rice, add 1/2 cup more rice if it’s more soupy than you’d like.
Mix It Up: Omit the rice and use the boiled chicken to make Old Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie, Crescent Roll Chicken Pot Pie, or Chicken A La King.
How To Serve Boiled Chicken
Serving this boiled chicken and rice dish hot with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and freshly cracked black pepper is one of the best flavor combinations.
Not only do we love the simplicity of boiled chicken, the versatility is another reason we create this dish often.
Boiled chicken and rice can be sprinkled with garlic powder and cumin then stuffed into a taco shell, mixed with salsa and scooped on top of nachos, served as is with roasted or steamed vegetables or even be turned into a chicken stir fry. There are so many possibilities that the whole family will enjoy.
Pro Tip: Serve this recipe a different way each time to change up the dinner routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you boil chicken?
The length of time you boil chicken will depend on the size of the chicken. When boiling a whole chicken, set aside 1-1.5 hours to boil.
Can you use chicken breasts?
Yes, chicken breasts can be swapped in place of the whole chicken and is a great option if short on time. Boil the chicken breasts in 4-6 cups of chicken broth for 15 minutes for boneless and 30 minutes for bone-in chicken. Then, add the rice if desired and continue to follow the step-by-step directions.
How to freeze cooked chicken?
Let the chicken cool completely then add to a freezer-safe container. Place a Freezer Meal Label onto the container with a use-by date of three months from the day the chicken was boiled. Store in the freezer until ready to use.
Expert Tips
- Enhancing Flavor: Use aromatics like onions, garlic, and ginger; include whole spices like bay leaves and cinnamon sticks.
- Broth Enrichment: Add store-bought chicken broth or bouillon cubes for richer flavor.
- Herbs and Seasonings: Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- Vegetable Additions: Boost nutrition with chopped carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
- Rice Varieties: Try aromatic rice like basmati or jasmine.
- Adjusting Spices: Taste and adjust salt and pepper levels before adding rice.
- Garnish Options: Use cilantro, green onions, or sour cream for garnish.
- Texture and Thickness: Blend part of the soup for a creamy texture.
- Spice Variation: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for heat.
- Customization: Personalize by adding beans, corn, or sausage.
- Storage and Reheating: Store soup and rice separately to maintain rice texture.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Allow the chicken and rice mixture to cool down slightly after cooking.
- Transfer the entire mixture to an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the entire dish.
Reheating:
- Microwave Method: Loosely cover the container with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe wrap. Heat in the microwave in short intervals on medium power, stirring in between intervals. This helps distribute heat evenly. Be cautious not to overheat, as it can cause uneven reheating and dryness. Stop microwaving once it’s heated through.
- Stovetop Method: Transfer the mixture to a non-stick pan or skillet. If it seems dry, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently to ensure even reheating. The added liquid will help keep the dish moist.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Looking for more easy chicken recipes for dinner with few ingredients? Check out these popular and family friendly dinner meals!
- Buffalo Chicken Breast
- Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
- Chicken Enchilada Crock Pot Meal
- Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Chicken Stir Fry (Instant Pot)
- Chicken On A Stick
- Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Wings
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
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Boiled Chicken and Rice Recipe
Boiled Chicken and rice is a super simple flavor-packed dinner that kids love. A whole chicken is boiled in water, shredded, then cooked with rice and seasonings. An old southern boiled chicken and rice recipe that makes plenty for leftovers or freeze for later.
Pin RecipePrint Recipe
4.92 from 12 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Servings 12
Ingredients
- 1 medium chicken ✅
- water
- 2-3 cups long grain rice
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 lime optional
Instructions
⭐️Add chicken to stockpot. Add the chicken to a large stockpot. Cover with water to the top of the chicken. Cover and simmer for 1-1.5 hours.
1 medium chicken, water
⭐️Use tongs to remove the chicken (keep the broth in the pot). Remove chicken and place it into a large bowl. Remove the meat from the chicken and shred it. Place the shredded chicken back into the pot. Add 2 cups of rice, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes (or per package instructions). Halfway through if it's soupier than you'd like add more rice.
2-3 cups long grain rice, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
Serve. Serve hot with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and freshly cracked black pepper.
1 lime
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts for the whole chicken. Boil in 4-6 cups of chicken broth for 15 minutes for boneless and 30 minutes for bone-in chicken breasts.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- If freezing, store in single or family portions. Thaw overnight then heat on the stovetop when ready to serve.
- Serve as is or with your family’s favorite steamed or roasted vegetables.
CCK Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Nutrition
Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 627mg | Potassium: 163mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Alicia says
I made this recipe using a 16 oz. bag of Bob’s Red Mill Organic Buckwheat Groats instead of the rice and it turned out perfect! Thank you 🙂Reply
Robin says
Turned out perfect. Fast and easy to make. Needed something fast tonight and this hit the spot.Reply
Nick Dixon says
Why does the ingredient list say 2-3 cups of rice but the instructions says 2?
Reply
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Nick! If you keep reading the instructions in the step where you add the rice it explains that if the mixture is too soupy for your liking halfway through cooking to add the additional cup of rice. Hopefully that helps!
Reply
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