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!
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!
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!
Apple Cranberry Chicken and Rice
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
- 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
-
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.
-
Add chicken, poultry seaoning, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes until chicken is mostly cooked on the outside.
-
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.
-
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.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main
Looking for more rice skillet dinners? Try these on for size!
Debra says
Looks so good. I think I have tomorrow’s dinner planned.
Pam says
Looks yummy, full of flavors and textures.
★★★★★
Andi says
Thank you, Pam!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says
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!
Andi says
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!
[email protected] says
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!
Andi says
I hope you love it, Cathy. Have a wonderful Christmas! Hope we get to catch up soon. I miss talking to you!
Liz says
Thank you Andi for all the nice recipes and your nice giveaway. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Andi says
Thank you, Liz! Happy Holidays to you too!!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
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
★★★★★
Andi says
I think you’ll like this multigrain kind, Jen! Thank you! xo
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
This looks so festive and perfect for this time of year! And I love that it’s an easy skillet dinner.
Andi says
Thank you, Courtney! Skillet dinners are my favorite :)
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
This is just screaming to be made tonight for Friday night comfort food!
Andi says
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!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
That looks packed with flavor! Yum!
Andi says
Thanks so much, Jaren!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
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!
Andi says
Thanks, Kristine! My skillets get a workout around here :)
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
wow this looks amazing!
Andi says
Thanks so much, Caralyn!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
I’ll bet that tastes fantastic with the apples and cranberries!
Andi says
Thank you, Tonia! Have a happy Christmas!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Love skillet meals and love the seasonal flavors of this one, Andi. Pinned!
Andi says
Thanks so much, Melanie!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
That blend sounds incredible and I really love the flavors in this skillet! So easy to make too!
Andi says
Thank you, Sheena!
Beth says
I love that it’s gluten free!! Yay! Another new thing to try out!
Andi says
Thank you, Beth!
[email protected] in the kitchen says
This looks like a fantastic weeknight meal to whip up after getting home from work! I am adding it to my meal plan. Thanks!! :)
Andi says
Thanks so much, Renee! Let me know how you like it.