One Pan Ranch Cheddar Chicken and Rice Recipe
This One Pan Ranch Cheddar Chicken and Rice is an easy, flavorful meal combining tender chicken thighs or breasts with cheesy ranch-seasoned rice and fresh broccoli. Baked together in one dish, it’s a convenience-packed recipe perfect for a satisfying family dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 6 chicken thighs or breasts, skin on or off
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning (homemade blend in notes)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
Main Dish
- 1 3/4 cups dry basmati rice
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cups roughly chopped broccoli
- 2 cups water (plus additional 1/3 cup water if needed)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot when you’re ready to bake the dish.
- Marinate Chicken: In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken thighs or breasts with Greek yogurt, grated cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning, and chopped garlic until well combined and coated.
- Prepare Rice and Broccoli: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the dry basmati rice evenly, then distribute the roughly chopped broccoli on top of the rice. Pour in 2 cups of water and add the salted butter.
- Assemble Dish: Arrange the marinated chicken pieces over the rice and broccoli mixture. Season everything with salt, pepper, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the rice is fluffy and the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If the rice remains firm after this time, add an additional 1/3 cup of water and continue baking for another 10 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and optionally garnish with fresh parsley or thyme before serving.
Notes
- You can make your own ranch seasoning blend with dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika.
- Using basmati rice helps achieve a fluffy texture; rinsing it before use is recommended for best results.
- Chicken thighs will yield juicier results, but breasts work well too.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt, depending on your ranch seasoning blend.
- Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s safely cooked.
