Name: One-Pot Pesto Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons avocado oil; 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 8 ounces fresh green beans; 8 ounces fresh sliced white mushrooms; 14.5 ounces low sodium chicken broth; 1 cup white jasmine rice; 0.5 cup frozen peas; 0.5 cup traditional prepared pesto; salt and pepper

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One-Pot Pesto Chicken and Rice

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

One-Pot Pesto Chicken and Rice

2 tablespoons avocado oil

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs

2 teaspoons minced garlic

8 ounces fresh green beans

8 ounces fresh sliced white mushrooms

14 ½ ounces low sodium chicken broth

1 cup white jasmine rice

½ cup frozen peas

½ cup traditional prepared pesto

salt and pepperto taste

Instructions

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Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a deep non-stick skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add chicken thighs to the hot pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until browning on the bottom. Flip thighs and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes or until just browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon additional oil to the same pan. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add green beans and mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add broth to the pan. Let it come to a low boil and then reduce heat to low. Add rice and stir until all rice is fully saturated in liquid. Return chicken to the pan, cover, and let cook over low heat for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, the rice should be fully cooked and very little liquid should remain in the pan. Remove the chicken, cut it up into bite sized pieces, and return it to the pan, along with the peas and pesto. Stir until well mixed and serve immediately. Store for up to 4 days in airtight containers.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Sear Chicken Thighs First 🍗
Brown the chicken thighs skin-side down in avocado oil for 4-5 minutes before adding broth to develop a golden crust and deepen the overall flavor of your one-pot meal.
Add Pesto at the End ✨
Stir in the prepared pesto during the last 2 minutes of cooking to preserve its vibrant color, fresh basil aroma, and bright flavor that can fade with prolonged heat exposure.
Use Chicken Thighs Over Breasts 🎯
Chicken thighs stay incredibly juicy and forgiving in one-pot dishes, while breasts tend to dry out; the higher fat content makes them perfect for this 35-minute cooking time.
Let Rice Absorb Properly 🍚
After adding rice and broth, keep the heat at medium-low and resist stirring constantly—allow 15-18 minutes of gentle simmering for the rice to absorb liquid evenly and achieve the perfect tender texture.
Toast Garlic in Oil First 🧄
Let minced garlic bloom in the warm avocado oil for 30-45 seconds before adding other ingredients to release its aromatic compounds and create a more complex, mellow garlic flavor throughout the dish.