One Pot Spaghetti Chicken & Rice
This hearty one pot dinner combines tender chicken, rice, tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese in a single skillet. It's an easy family meal that's perfect for busy weeknights and a wonderful recipe for kids learning to cook.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup long-grain rice or brown rice
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with juices
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, torn into pieces
- 1 cup chopped carrots or bell peppers (optional)
Directions
- Combine the marinara sauce, rice, crushed tomatoes, and basil in a large skillet or Dutch oven.
- Stir in the carrots or bell peppers if using.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the chicken over the rice mixture.
- Cover with a lid and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a little extra liquid if needed.
- Continue cooking until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top and cover for 2 to 3 minutes until melted.
- Serve immediately.
Kid Chef Tip
Practice safe knife skills by cutting the chicken into evenly sized pieces with an adult's help. Uniform pieces cook faster and more evenly.
Easy Variations
- Stir in fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Swap the chicken for cooked turkey or Italian sausage.
- Use brown rice for extra fiber (allow additional cooking time).
- Add mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli for more vegetables.
- Try cheddar, Monterey Jack, or an Italian cheese blend instead of mozzarella.