Zesty Italian Chicken and Rice
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Zesty Italian Chicken and Rice, a one-pan wonder that combines tender, marinated chicken breasts with fluffy, aromatic rice infused with Italian seasonings. This easy-to-make recipe features a zippy marinade of tangy Italian dressing, a rich tomato and chicken broth base, and a perfect balance of spices like red pepper flakes and garlic. With a prep time of just 20 minutes, it's the ideal weeknight dinner for busy families. Garnished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese, this hearty dish is as visually appealing as it is delicious. Perfectly paired with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables, this crowd-pleaser will quickly become a favorite in your dinner rotation.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the Italian dressing over them. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for best flavor.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade (discard the marinade) and sear them in the skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes to lightly coat it with the oil and aromatics.
Pour in the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, return the chicken breasts to the skillet, cover with a lid, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
Taste the rice and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and optional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy your zesty Italian chicken and rice!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
672 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.6 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.1 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 156 mg | 52% | |
| Sodium | 1766 mg | 77% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.1 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.9 g | ||
| Protein | 63.8 g | 128% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 179 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 3.0 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 930 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
