There are few meals as universally comforting as chicken and rice. It is the culinary equivalent of a warm hug. This gluten free cozy one-pot chicken and rice recipe takes that classic comfort and makes it accessible for everyone, without the need for canned condensed soups or complicated steps.
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This dish is a savior for busy weeknights. It cooks entirely in a single vessel, meaning you get a hearty, creamy, and nutritious dinner with almost zero cleanup. It is one of those easy gluten-free dinner recipes for family that everyone will ask for on repeat.
Whether you are cooking for a crowd or looking for gluten-free recipes for one person that reheat well, this meal delivers pure satisfaction in every bite.
A Little Story About This Dish
I used to rely heavily on those boxed rice mixes or casseroles made with “cream of whatever” soup. When I transitioned to a gluten-free lifestyle, I realized those convenience items were full of hidden wheat thickeners. I missed the ease of dumping everything into a pot and having dinner ready in 30 minutes.
That is when I started experimenting with making my own creamy rice dishes on the stovetop. I found that by using the natural starch from the rice and a splash of milk at the end, I could replicate that luscious, creamy texture without any gluten or heavy processing.
This recipe is the result of that journey. It is simple, wholesome, and reminds me that the best food often comes from the most basic ingredients.
Get Ready to Cook!
You are less than 40 minutes away from a steaming bowl of savory goodness. Let’s get organized to ensure your one-pot meal turns out perfectly creamy and tender.
What to Expect
Time: Approximately 35 minutes total.
Difficulty: Very Easy. It’s a classic dump-and-simmer method.
Before You Begin
The most critical safety tip for this recipe is to check your chicken broth. While many brands are safe, some use wheat as a flavoring agent or yeast extract derived from barley. Always look for the “Gluten-Free” label on the carton.
Since this is a one-pot meal, the type of rice matters, long-grain white rice works best here because it stays fluffy and cooks in the same amount of time as the carrots. If you use brown rice, you would need to significantly increase the liquid and cooking time.
Finally, while this recipe gets its creaminess from a splash of milk at the end, you don’t need heavy cream. Almond milk works beautifully for a dairy-free option, or you can use regular milk if you prefer.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the simple, wholesome ingredients for this delicious skillet dinner.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, diced | 1 lb |
| Olive Oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Small Onion, finely chopped | 1 |
| Garlic Cloves, minced | 2 |
| Long Grain White Rice | 1 cup |
| Medium Carrots, sliced | 2 |
| Low-Sodium Chicken Broth | 3 cups |
| Dried Thyme | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Black Pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Unsweetened Almond Milk (or milk of choice) | 1/2 cup |
| Fresh Parsley, chopped | 2 tablespoons |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a creamy, dreamy chicken and rice dinner.
1. Sear the Chicken:
Grab a large pot or a deep skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, toss in the diced chicken breast. Cook it for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides.
2. Sauté the Aromatics:
Add the chopped onion to the pot with the chicken. Stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for just another 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
3. Combine Everything:
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any flavorful browned bits. Add the uncooked rice, sliced carrots, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything well to ensure the rice is submerged in the liquid.
4. The Simmer:
Increase the heat to bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let it simmer gently for 18 to 20 minutes. Stir it occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom, but try to keep the lid on as much as possible to trap the steam. Cook until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Make it Creamy:
Remove the lid. Pour in the almond milk (or your milk of choice) and add the fresh chopped parsley. Stir well and let it simmer uncovered for another 3 to 4 minutes. This step allows the mixture to thicken up and become creamy. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed, then serve warm.
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
Here are a few final tips to make this dish a weekly staple.
Pointers for Perfection
If you want to add more vegetables, frozen peas or green beans are excellent additions. Stir them in during the last 3 minutes of cooking when you add the milk so they stay bright green and crisp. For an even richer flavor, you can sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Gluten Free Cozy One-Pot Chicken and Rice
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Gluten Free Cozy One-Pot Chicken and Rice is the ultimate comfort meal! It’s creamy, hearty, and packed with tender chicken and veggies. Made entirely in one skillet in just 35 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick and healthy family dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup long grain white rice
2 medium carrots, sliced
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth (ensure certified Gluten-Free)
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes until it is lightly browned.
2. Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the rice, sliced carrots, chicken broth, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 18–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
5. Remove the lid and stir in the milk and chopped fresh parsley. Simmer uncovered for another 3–4 minutes until the dish creates a creamy consistency.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm garnished with extra parsley.
Notes
Gluten-Free Safety: Always check your chicken broth labels to ensure they are certified gluten-free, as some brands contain wheat or barley yeast extract.
Rice Choice: Use long-grain white rice for the best texture. If using brown rice, you will need to increase the liquid and cooking time significantly.
Dairy-Free: This recipe works perfectly with unsweetened almond milk, but you can use regular cow’s milk if dairy isn’t an issue for you.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pot
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
How to Store
This is one of those gluten free stove top recipes that reheats beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of water or broth, as the rice will continue to absorb moisture as it sits.
If you want to spark some new ideas for gluten-free meals, these recipes are just what you need:
- The Best Gluten Free Baked Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- The Best Gluten Free Baked Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- The Best Creamy Cashew Cream Cajun Chicken Pasta (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free!)
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to common questions about making this gluten-free comfort meal.
1. Can I make this with brown rice?
Using brown rice changes the recipe significantly because it takes much longer to cook (about 45 minutes) and requires more liquid. For this specific easy one dish gluten free dinner, stick to white long-grain rice or Jasmine rice to ensure the chicken and veggies don’t overcook before the rice is done.
2. Is this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, if you use unsweetened almond milk as listed in the ingredients, this recipe is completely dairy-free. It’s a fantastic option for gluten and dairy free sheet pan style eaters who want a stovetop alternative. You can also use oat milk or coconut milk for a different flavor profile.
3. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely. Chicken thighs are naturally more juicy and forgiving than breasts. If you prefer dark meat, simply swap the diced breast for diced boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The cooking time remains the same.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are ready to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort. This simple, creamy, and savory dish is proof that healthy, gluten-free cooking doesn’t have to be complicated.
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