The Weary Chef

Delicious recipes made easy for busy cooks!

  • Recipes
    • Healthy Meals
    • Recipe Roundups
    • Dinner
    • Desserts
    • Mexican Food
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Red Meat
    • Pasta and Noodles
    • Sandwiches and Pizza
  • Weekly Dinner Menus
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • About Rosie
    • Disclosures
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner / Apple Cranberry Chicken and Rice Skillet Dinner

Dinner Poultry Rice Bowls

Apple Cranberry Chicken and Rice Skillet Dinner

This easy skillet dinner is loaded with dried cranberries, fresh apples, celery, and chicken, all simmered together with brown rice for a delicious and wholesome meal!

This 30-minute skillet dinner is loaded with dried cranberries, fresh apples, celery, and chicken simmered together with instant brown rice. #cranberry #apple #chicken #rice

Click to Pin

You know I’m all about quick and easy meals, and one-skillet dinners are my favorite kind. When there’s a product that can make a quick dinner even quicker, I can’t resist trying it! Take instant rice for example. Instant white rice is ready in just five minutes, and now you can get instant brown rice that only takes ten minutes. You can’t beat that with a stick!

I like the hearty texture and nutty flavor of brown rice and other whole grains like barley, but I don’t love how long it takes to cook them.  The instant brown rice takes less than 1/4 of the time of regular brown rice. Now we can get all the benefits of whole grains without waiting 45-60 minutes for them to cook!

This 30-minute skillet dinner is loaded with dried cranberries, fresh apples, celery, and chicken simmered together with instant brown rice. #cranberry #apple #chicken #rice

How do you feel about celery? I really don’t like it raw, but I think it adds a nice flavor to dishes when cooked and used in moderation. If you love the crunch and taste of raw celery, you could stir it in with the rice to keep more texture. I, for one, like it to be well cooked :)

Are you ready for the taste of Fall yet? I sure am! I had the holidays in mind when I combined the flavors of cranberry, apple, and celery in this easy skillet dinner, but I’d be happy to enjoy these flavors all year round. This meal is very good leftover and perfect for lunch boxes. Some kids might be a little suspicious about fruit in their dinner, but I’m sure they’ll come around after the first bite. I hope this dish is a hit at your house like it was at mine!

This 30-minute skillet dinner is loaded with dried cranberries, fresh apples, celery, and chicken simmered together with instant brown rice. #cranberry #apple #chicken #rice
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
This 30-minute skillet dinner is loaded with dried cranberries, fresh apples, celery, and chicken simmered together with instant brown rice. #cranberry #apple #chicken #rice

Apple Cranberry Chicken and Rice

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

This 30-minute skillet dinner is loaded with dried cranberries, fresh apples, celery, and chicken for a hearty, wholesome, delicious meal!

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 sweet onion diced
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries or more to taste
  • 1 apple peeled, cored, and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 4 ribs celery chopped
  • 16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups instant brown rice
  • 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

 

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a 12″ skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, cranberries, apple, and celery. Saute for about 5 minutes until onion is translucent.
  2. Add chicken, poultry seaoning, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes until chicken is mostly cooked on the outside.
  3. Stir in uncooked rice and broth, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 3 minutes, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook 10-12 minutes longer until liquid is absorbed.
  4. Sprinkle additional dried cranberries over individual portions if desired.

 

Notes

Check the label of your instant rice to make sure it calls for equal amounts of rice and water. If you need a different ratio, be sure to adjust the amount of water or broth in the recipe.

  • Author: Andi
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Category: Main

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us โ€” we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

 Looking for more rice skillet dinners? Try these on for size!

Whether you are in the mood for Mexican, Chinese, Southern, or something else entirely, you'll find a new favorite rice skillet dinner here!

Related posts:

Pesto Stuffed Oven Baked Pork Chops
Spicy Spinach Quesadilla Recipe
Cajun Sausage and Chicken Stir Fry
Margarita Chicken Tacos
No Brainer Taco Macaroni
Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Artichokes
Chicken Enchilada Recipe with Canned Chicken
Foil Baked Salmon with Lime and Chili
Spinach Artichoke Lasagna
Easy Cajun Jambalaya: A versatile one-dish recipe
Cheesy Baked Shrimp and Grits


31 Comments

« Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
BLT Pizza »

Comments

  1. Debra says

    September 24, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    Looks so good. I think I have tomorrow’s dinner planned.

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    January 1, 2015 at 5:14 am

    Looks yummy, full of flavors and textures.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Andi says

      January 2, 2015 at 9:25 am

      Thank you, Pam!

      Reply
  3. Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says

    December 23, 2014 at 5:25 am

    I was thrilled with the multigrain medley! And what’s funny is I actually made an almost identical salad on a whim, but decided to post soup instead. Yours has celery though so you win! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 25, 2014 at 9:44 am

      So often I accidentally make very similar recipes to friends around the same time (or the other way around). Great minds think alike I guess! I’m sure your salad was delicious, and your soup looks great too. Merry Christmas, Heather!

      Reply
  4. [email protected] says

    December 22, 2014 at 11:52 am

    I don’t make a lot of rice dishes but I’m not sure why….my kids love rice and it’s SO easy! Tucking this recipe away to try soon, Andi!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 23, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      I hope you love it, Cathy. Have a wonderful Christmas! Hope we get to catch up soon. I miss talking to you!

      Reply
  5. Liz says

    December 19, 2014 at 10:06 am

    Thank you Andi for all the nice recipes and your nice giveaway. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 11:25 am

      Thank you, Liz! Happy Holidays to you too!!

      Reply
  6. Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says

    December 19, 2014 at 7:16 am

    I love the flavors in this rice skillet! Great idea for a holiday meal! I love minute rice but haven’t tried this kind before. Sounds great, Andi

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 11:28 am

      I think you’ll like this multigrain kind, Jen! Thank you! xo

      Reply
  7. Courtney @ Neighborfood says

    December 19, 2014 at 7:03 am

    This looks so festive and perfect for this time of year! And I love that it’s an easy skillet dinner.

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 11:28 am

      Thank you, Courtney! Skillet dinners are my favorite :)

      Reply
  8. Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says

    December 19, 2014 at 5:42 am

    This is just screaming to be made tonight for Friday night comfort food!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 11:29 am

      Hi, Meg! I usually think of something with a lot more cheese involved when I think comfort food, but you are right that a warm, hearty meal like this fits the bill too. Thanks!

      Reply
  9. Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says

    December 19, 2014 at 4:17 am

    That looks packed with flavor! Yum!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 11:30 am

      Thanks so much, Jaren!

      Reply
  10. Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says

    December 18, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    I can’t wait to try this one, Andi! It looks exactly like the kind of meal I’d enjoy. Your other skillet meals are making me hungry, too! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 11:31 am

      Thanks, Kristine! My skillets get a workout around here :)

      Reply
  11. Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says

    December 18, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    wow this looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 11:31 am

      Thanks so much, Caralyn!

      Reply
  12. Tonia from TheGunnySack says

    December 18, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    I’ll bet that tastes fantastic with the apples and cranberries!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 23, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      Thank you, Tonia! Have a happy Christmas!

      Reply
  13. Melanie | Melanie Makes says

    December 18, 2014 at 6:43 pm

    Love skillet meals and love the seasonal flavors of this one, Andi. Pinned!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 23, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      Thanks so much, Melanie!

      Reply
  14. Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says

    December 18, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    That blend sounds incredible and I really love the flavors in this skillet! So easy to make too!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 23, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      Thank you, Sheena!

      Reply
  15. Beth says

    December 18, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    I love that it’s gluten free!! Yay! Another new thing to try out!

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 4:58 pm

      Thank you, Beth!

      Reply
  16. [email protected] in the kitchen says

    December 18, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    This looks like a fantastic weeknight meal to whip up after getting home from work! I am adding it to my meal plan. Thanks!! :)

    Reply
    • Andi says

      December 19, 2014 at 4:58 pm

      Thanks so much, Renee! Let me know how you like it.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Subscribe to get the latest recipes!

Latest posts

  • Easy Mojito With Dark Rum Recipe
  • 12 Great Grilling Recipes for Hosting Your Own Backyard Grillathon!
  • Tender Cube Steak and Gravy Recipe
  • 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Ribs
  • Chinese Rice Noodle Soup with Shrimp

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 ยท Weary Chef
Recipes | Kitchen Guide
Write for Us | Disclosure & Privacy Policy | Contact