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Skillet Chicken, Zucchini, and Cheesy Rice

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on February 22, 2022

Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Skillet Chicken, Zucchini, and Cheesy Rice

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 zucchini, shredded1 onion, chopped fine 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme ½ teaspoon table salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 (2½-pound) rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded, meat shredded into bite-size pieces (3 cups)1 cup chicken broth 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)1 ½ ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (3⁄4 cup)Chopped fresh basil for serving

Before You Begin

Use medium zucchini that weigh about 8 ounces each, and shred them on the large holes of a box grater.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost cooked through, about 12 minutes. Drain rice in fine-mesh strainer; set aside. 
  2. Meanwhile, melt butter in 12-inch ovensafe skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, onion, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook until zucchini is wilted and most of its excess moisture has cooked off, about 10 minutes. Stir in chicken and broth and cook until chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.
  3. Off heat, stir in rice and cheddar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Smooth top and sprinkle with Parmesan. Transfer skillet to oven and broil until Parmesan is melted and spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Serve, topped with basil. 
Skillet Chicken, Zucchini, and Cheesy Rice
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Chantal Lambeth.

Skillet Chicken, Zucchini, and Cheesy Rice

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Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 zucchini, shredded
1 onion, chopped fine
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
½ teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 (2½-pound) rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded, meat shredded into bite-size pieces (3 cups)
1 cup chicken broth
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
1 ½ ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (3⁄4 cup)
Chopped fresh basil for serving

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 zucchini, shredded
1 onion, chopped fine
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
½ teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 (2½-pound) rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded, meat shredded into bite-size pieces (3 cups)
1 cup chicken broth
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
1 ½ ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (3⁄4 cup)
Chopped fresh basil for serving

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain white rice
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 zucchini, shredded
1 onion, chopped fine
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
½ teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 (2½-pound) rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded, meat shredded into bite-size pieces (3 cups)
1 cup chicken broth
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
1 ½ ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (3⁄4 cup)
Chopped fresh basil for serving

Why This Recipe Works

Sautéed shredded zucchini added a creamy consistency to this family-friendly skillet rice casserole.

Before You Begin

Use medium zucchini that weigh about 8 ounces each, and shred them on the large holes of a box grater.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost cooked through, about 12 minutes. Drain rice in fine-mesh strainer; set aside. 
  2. Meanwhile, melt butter in 12-inch ovensafe skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, onion, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook until zucchini is wilted and most of its excess moisture has cooked off, about 10 minutes. Stir in chicken and broth and cook until chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.
  3. Off heat, stir in rice and cheddar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Smooth top and sprinkle with Parmesan. Transfer skillet to oven and broil until Parmesan is melted and spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Serve, topped with basil. 

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