Easy Italian Chicken and Rice

Let me tell y'all about one of my favorite meals... ever.

This incredibly easy, quick, and delicious Italian Chicken and Rice dish is perfect for busy families.

To start, put 2 tbsp of your favorite butter in a deep pan, over medium-low heat. As it's melting, add about 2 tbsp of your favorite Italian dressing, too. (Stay tuned and I'll share my recipe for homemade Italian dressing.)

Once the butter is melted and the dressing is warm, add 3 chicken breasts, cubed.

While your chicken is cooking, dice up 2 large bell peppers and 3-4 tomatoes.

(This is perfect if you're trying to find uses for your freshly grown veggies like me!)

Once your chicken is just cooked through, add 2 cups water and 2 1/2 cups of instant brown rice. It may require more water, so just pay attention and add about 2 tbsp at a time, if you feel the rice isn't submerged enough.

Once I get it all mixed up, I usually add another 2-4 tbsp of Italian dressing.

(Be prepared, you're going to pretty much use the whole bottle.)

I usually add in about 3/4 cup of my favorite chicken stock now, too.

I usually let this cook uncovered for about 5-7 minutes before adding in my bell peppers.

Once you've dropped them in, add in another 2-3 tbsp of Italian dressing and then cover!

I usually let this simmer for about 7 minutes before removing the lid. (Make sure there's enough liquid left in the pan, although your rice should be absorbing quite a bit now and softening up.)

Your peppers' color should change to a deep olive green when they're cooked through.

Once the lid is removed, add in your diced tomatoes and (you guessed it!) at least 2-3 more tbsp of Italian dressing. Stir the mixture up and let it simmer uncovered for another 5-10 minutes.

Once your rice is fluffy and fully cooked through, your dish is ready for the final addition of Italian dressing and some shredded cheese.

Once your cheese melts, this lovely dish is ready to serve!

I love this meal for its taste, simplicity, and for the fact that I can easily calculate macros. It's a perfect combo of carbs, proteins, and fats... as long as you can control the portions. And that, my friends, is a little hard to do.

This recipe serves 6 easily or allows for leftovers... which is an absolute favorite of mine.