18 Comforting Chicken and Rice Recipes to Make for Dinner From soups to one-pot meals, there are so many ways to cook this classic combo. Close Credit: Johnny Miller Chicken and rice is a classic combination that transcends cultures and cuisines, making it a staple in kitchens around the world. Whether it's a hearty casserole, a fragrant Latin American or Middle Eastern dish, or comforting chicken fried rice from Asia, the pairing of tender chicken with rice offers endless possibilities, as our collection of chicken and rice recipes shows. This humble duo adapts to a variety of tastes, from spicy and bold to light and refreshing, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Even more to love: chicken and rice dishes are often budget-friendly and nourishing, so you'll get a well-rounded meal that’s packed with protein and essential nutrients. Whether you’re looking to explore global flavors or recreate family favorites, these recipes are a great way to bring comfort and variety to your table. Here, you'll find some of our favorite takes on this beloved combination, both familiar and unique. 12 Dinner Recipes With Rice, Including Risotto, Stuffed Peppers, and Other Favorites 01 of 18 Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Credit: Yunhee Kim There's a nostalgic feel to this terrific casserole, but it's also quite practical for a weeknight dinner since it calls for a rotisserie chicken and precooked (or leftover) rice. No cream of mushroom soup here; instead, sour cream, shallots, and sliced mixed mushrooms do the job. View Recipe 02 of 18 Chipotle Chicken and Rice To make this stovetop dish, you start by browning chicken thighs; from there, you build flavor by cooking an onion, garlic, cumin, chiles, and tomatoes in the same pan. Add water and rice, and let everything simmer together for a rich-tasting dinner. View Recipe 03 of 18 Easy Chicken and Shrimp Paella Paella is a classic chicken and rice dish known throughout Spain, but you can easily make it at home. This rendition calls for chorizo, which delivers subtle heat and smokiness. View Recipe 04 of 18 Instant Pot Chicken Adobo and Rice Credit: Bryan Gardner Here's another iteration of chicken, rice, and chiles, this one made in the Instant Pot. It has a tangy, sweet, and savory taste thanks to soy sauce, vinegar, and a touch of sugar. View Recipe 05 of 18 One-Pot Chicken and Brown Rice This chicken and rice dish is packed with vegetables. The recipe calls for carrots, celery, and onion, but it's quite adaptable—swap in anything from bell peppers to cauliflower florets. View Recipe 06 of 18 Peruvian Chicken Soup With Rice and Potatoes Chicken soup with rice is nice, but why not add potatoes, corn, and cilantro? That's the thinking behind this savory soup, which is plenty hearty and can stand alone as a main course. View Recipe 07 of 18 One-Pot Chicken and Rice With Swiss Chard Here's a delicious and healthy dinner that deserves a spot in your regular rotation. It includes chicken leg quarters, which are nicely complemented by Swiss chard, rice, and lemon. View Recipe 08 of 18 Chicken Kabsa Credit: Bobbi Lin Fragrant and beautiful, this Saudi Arabian stunner is a great dish for entertaining, served with a citrusy yogurt sauce. It combines sweet and savory elements, incorporating raisins, almonds, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. View Recipe 09 of 18 Curried Chicken With Coconut Rice Credit: Johnny Miller The addition of curry powder, cayenne, and fresh ginger ensures this one-pot Southeast Asian-inspired dish delivers loads of flavor. You could serve it with a simple salad of cucumbers and tomatoes for a cooling contrast. View Recipe 10 of 18 Chicken Soup With Rice Credit: Bryan Gardner This homey classic comes together quickly with no fuss. Leeks give it an elegant touch. View Recipe 11 of 18 Chicken-and-Mushroom Congee Credit: Lennart Weibull This savory rice porridge is thick, rich, and wonderfully comforting on a cold night. Serve it with sesame oil and chili oil to taste. View Recipe 12 of 18 One-Pan Cuban Chicken With Rice and Beans Credit: Armando Rafael Bacon and cumin amp up simple chicken, rice, and beans in this homey dinner. You can use black beans or any other, whether pinto, kidney, or even chickpeas. View Recipe 13 of 18 Chicken and Brown Rice Roasted red peppers and peas give this great dish beautiful pops of color and bright flavor, too. View Recipe 14 of 18 Chicken Risotto Credit: Mike Krautter Chicken gives creamy risotto a protein bump, and summer squash and asparagus deliver extra oomph in this filling and tasty meal. View Recipe 15 of 18 Summery Chicken and Rice Soup Credit: Lennart Weibull Soup in summer? Why not, when it includes zucchini or yellow squash, plus Swiss chard or any other leafy green. View Recipe 16 of 18 Japanese Fried Rice Credit: Mike Krautter Got leftover rice? You're already halfway there to a wonderful meal that's rich with flavor, thanks to soy sauce, sake, butter, and garlic. Egg and chicken give it a boost of protein and heft. View Recipe 17 of 18 Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Credit: Rachel Marek One more soup recipe before we go—this one is made with wild rice and delivers a pleasant nutty undertone. View Recipe 18 of 18 One-Pan Chicken With Rice and Beans Credit: Armando Rafael We love a one-pan recipe and this easy take on Cuban chicken and rice with black beans has a lot to offer. Not only is it all made in one ovenproof skillet but it uses juicy, flavorful chicken thighs and canned black beans so it’s packed with protein. View Recipe Explore more: Recipes Ingredients Meat & Poultry Chicken