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Easy Flavor-Packed Dump Dinners Recipe for Hearty Weeknight Meals

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A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring chicken, vegetables, and rice, perfect for busy weeknights. This dump dinner is flavorful, hearty, and requires minimal prep and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup baby carrots, halved
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 cup frozen peas or green beans (optional)
  • 1 cup uncooked rice (white or brown)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter

Instructions

  1. Chop the onion, mince the garlic, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, and halve the baby carrots (about 10 minutes).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  4. Add chicken pieces to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
  5. Add bell peppers, baby carrots, and frozen peas (if using). Sprinkle smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat ingredients with spices.
  6. Pour uncooked rice evenly over the chicken and vegetables without stirring.
  7. Gently pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes with juices over the rice. Add tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, then gently stir once to distribute liquids without mixing everything.
  8. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer for 20-25 minutes for white rice or 40-45 minutes for brown rice, until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
  9. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork and mix everything together. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Brown the chicken before adding other ingredients to enhance flavor and texture. Use a tight-fitting lid to lock in steam and cook rice evenly. Avoid stirring while simmering to prevent mushy rice. If rice is firm but liquid is gone, add a splash more broth or water and cook a few minutes longer. For vegetarian or vegan versions, substitute chicken with tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth. For gluten-free, check Worcestershire sauce or replace with tamari.

Nutrition

Keywords: dump dinner, one pot meal, easy weeknight dinner, chicken dinner, quick recipe, hearty meal, simple ingredients

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/easy-flavor-packed-dump-dinners-recipe-for-hearty-weeknight-meals/