One Pan Loaded Spanish Rice

Name: One Pan Loaded Spanish Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil (divided); 1-2 tsp Cajun or all-purpose seasoning (or salt and pepper ); 1-1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into strips); 2 bell peppers (largely chopped); 1/2 large onion (largely chopped); 12-16 oz andouille or smoked sausage (cut into 1/2-inch discs); 40 oz chicken broth; 2 5.6 oz packages Knorr Rice Sides Spanish Rice

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This one pan Loaded Spanish Rice is delicious, full of protein and flavor, and takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish!

a bowl filled with a seasoned pasta and rice blend, sliced sausage and cooked red and green peppers and onions

We all have those nights when we’re tired and don’t feel like cooking. When you have just enough gumption to cook up something easy and yummy in less than 30 minutes, you can turn to this recipe. It’s minimal prep and quick to clean up!

With the successes of my casserole-style Cheddar Broccoli Chicken and Rice and Queso Chicken and Rice recipes made with ready-made rice packets, I wanted to explore other ways I could use them. I saw the variety of Spanish rice packets on the shelf and immediately thought it would be a perfect pairing with sausage.

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Since sausage typically yields a higher dose of sodium, adding chicken is a great way to add more protein without the added sodium. Combined with veggies and the flavor-rich rice packets, it’s a sure-bet dinner winner!

Table of Contents

What You’ll Need

Olive Oil
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs
Cajun or All-Purpose Salt Seasoning
Smoked or Andouille Sausage
Bell Peppers
Onion
Chicken Broth
Spanish Rice Mixes

Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Ingredients for One Pan Loaded Spanish Rice

Tools You’ll Need

Large Skillet

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

Uses one pan, so it’s easy to clean up!
Takes less than 30 minutes to make!
Your protein, starch, and vegetables are all in one pan!
It’s savory, hearty, and delicious!

How to Make One Pan Loaded Spanish Rice

First, season and cook the chicken in a tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the rest of the olive oil, and sear the sausage, peppers, and onions in ½ cup of the chicken broth. Scrape up any solid bits from the bottom of the pan. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, stir, and cook until the vegetables are tender and the sausage has browned.

Stir in the remaining broth and both rice packets. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the rice/pasta blend is cooked.

Simmering the pasta, rice, vegetables and sausage

Fold in the cooked chicken, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Ladle and serve.

Tips and Substitutions

I use 2 5.6oz Knorr Spanish Rice packets in this recipe, but there are other brands that can be used. I’ve noted how to adjust with these popular brands:
- 2 7oz boxes Tony Chachere’s Spanish Rice Mix
  - Add ½ cup water and increase the rice cook time step to 20-25 minutes
- 2 6.9oz boxes Zatarain’s Spanish Rice
  - Add ½ cup water and increase the rice cook time step to 20-25 minutes
- 2 5oz packets Mahatma’s Spanish Rice
  - ½ cup less broth and increase rice cook time step to 15-20 minutes
If you don’t want to use a ready-made rice packet, you can substitute with homemade:
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice, 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional); increase rice cook time step to 10-15 minutes
- 1 ½ cups minute rice, 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional); decrease rice cook time step to 3-5 minutes
You can substitute the smoked or andouille sausage with turkey sausage or a plant-based alternative.
If want to bulk up the dish with more vegetables, add more peppers and onions, or get creative with other veggies like mushrooms or green beans.

Storage

Allow the chicken and rice to cool down to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator or freezer.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap.
Store leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight or freezer container. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this dish spicy?

The level of heat depends on the brand of Spanish rice you use, the seasoning added to the chicken, as well as your sausage of choice. The Knorr Spanish Rice, cajun seasoning, and andouille sausage brands I chose had a mild-medium level of heat.

How could I make the heat of this dish milder?

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and use a smoked sausage brand instead of andouille. You can lower it even more if you substitute the Spanish Rice packets with the homemade substitute rice.

What seasonings are in Spanish rice?

While there are varying blends from recipe to recipe and brand to brand, the seasonings that are often dominant are chili powder, paprika, and cumin.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Knorr and Tony Chachere’s Spanish Rice brands are not gluten-free but Zatarain’s and Mahatma are. Check your chosen sausage brand for gluten-based ingredients.

Can I substitute the rice with cauliflower rice?

Yes. In step #3 of the recipe, substitute the rice packets with 12 oz fresh or frozen cauliflower rice and follow the seasoning guidance from homemade rice under “Tips and Substitutions.” Reduce the broth amount to ½ cup and cook only 1-3 minutes before folding the chicken back in.

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This is a picture of a bowl sitting on the counter filled with a seasoned pasta and rice blend, sliced sausage and cooked red and green peppers and onions.

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