20 One-Pot Meals for Rice Lovers

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Rice is a staple in Southern kitchens because it's easy to cook, quick to make, and extremely versatile. There are so many varieties of rice, so your dinner can take any flavorful direction. Whether you want Asian-inspired shrimp fried rice, Southwest chicken and rice bowls, creole jambalaya, or Southern chicken bog, rice can transport your meal to any region. These recipes include delicious rice bakes, casseroles, and jambalaya dishes that will satisfy everyone at your table. And did we mention that all of these rice dishes are one-pot meals? It's the best way for weeknight dinners, especially if you're the one cleaning up afterward. Quick rice recipes like these are the easiest way to get dinner on the table. Since you already have a box of rice sitting in your pantry, put it to use with these rice recipes for dinner. No need for takeout—the easiest dinner options are here. One-pot dinner, one happy Mama.

01 of 20

Chicken Bog

Chicken Bog
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Bog

If you haven't heard of chicken bog, get ready for the best Southern dinner you can make in 30 minutes.

02 of 20

Shrimp Perloo

Shrimp Perloo
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Shrimp Perloo

Get in a low-country frame of mind with this delicious one-pot Shrimp Perloo, ready in just 40 minutes.

03 of 20

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

Chicken thighs are nestled into a bed of rice and vegetables, and dressed with honey-chile sauce.

04 of 20

Chicken and Shrimp Skillet Rice

Skillet Rice with Shrimp and Chicken
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Chicken and Shrimp Skillet Rice

Your family will be coming back for seconds of this colorful and flavorful skillet dish.

05 of 20

Collard Green Creole Dirty Rice

Collard Green Creole Dirty Rice
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Collard Green Creole Dirty Rice

This dish gets its flavor from chicken sausage, paprika, cayenne pepper, and a poblano chile.

06 of 20

Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples

Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Sausage with Fennel and Apples

This sheet-pan supper has tons of texture and flavor from chicken sausage, fennel, and apples that are tossed with apple cider vinegar.

07 of 20

Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice
Greg DuPree; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Your kids will beg you to make this fried rice recipe all the time, and you won't mind—it cooks in one pot in less than 30 minutes.

08 of 20

Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Mushrooms

Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Mushrooms
Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Mushrooms

This hearty, comforting soup is what your family needs on a chilly night.

09 of 20

Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Easy Chicken Fried Rice

This homemade fried rice is ready in less than 30 minutes, so save the money you would've spent eating out.

10 of 20

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Everything we love about Louisiana cooking is in this dish, which isn't hard to prepare if you follow a few simple secrets.

11 of 20

Red Rice-Smoked Chicken Perloo

Ashleigh Shanti's Red Rice-Smoked Chicken Perloo
Peter Frank Edwards; Prop Styling: Kendra Surface; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Red Rice-Smoked Chicken Perloo

Bacon, smoked chicken, white wine, smoked paprika, and plenty of bell peppers shine in this take on a classic.

12 of 20

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Creamy Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Collard Greens
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Serve biscuits on the side to make this meal extra filling.

13 of 20

Oven-Baked Risotto with Ham, Leeks, and Peas

Oven-Baked Risotto with Ham, Leeks, and Peas
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Oven-Baked Risotto with Ham, Leeks, and Peas

Forget the constant stirring and stick this risotto recipe in the oven to bake.

14 of 20

Chicken-and-Collards Pilau

Chicken-and-Collards Pilau
Greg Dupree

Recipe: Chicken-and-Collards Pilau

Cajun smoked sausage and collard greens make this comforting dish undeniably Southern, and chicken, rice, and veggies make it a hearty dinner.

15 of 20

Southwest Chicken Cutlet Rice Bowl

Southwest Chicken Cutlet Rice Bowl
Greg Dupree

Recipe: Southwest Chicken Cutlet Rice Bowl

The easiest way to get Southwest flavor is with a one-dish recipe.

16 of 20

Skillet Sausage 'n' Rice

Skillet Sausage 'n' Rice
Southern Living

Recipe: Skillet Sausage 'n' Rice

This rice dish is on the table in 30 minutes for when you're in a pinch.

17 of 20

Chicken Casserole D'Iberville

Chicken Casserole D'Iberville
Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken Casserole D'Iberville

To be prepared for busier-than-expected nights, you can freeze this casserole unbaked for up to a month.

18 of 20

Creole Jambalaya

Creole Jambalaya

Recipe: Creole Jambalaya

This jambalaya recipe is packed with flavor.

19 of 20

Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-fry

Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-fry

You can substitute any cruciferous vegetable and slice into even pieces in place of Brussels sprouts.

20 of 20

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

This recipe is a riff on the old-school chicken-and-rice number.

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