Save My neighbor Sarah mentioned she'd been stretching her grocery budget by shopping at Dollar Tree, and one evening while she was describing her finds, I thought about all those canned goods sitting in pantries and wondered what magic could be made from them. That's when this one-pot wonder came together—a dish so comforting and real, it reminded me that the best meals don't always require fancy ingredients or hours of prep time.
I made this for a Tuesday night dinner when my daughter came home exhausted from work, and watching her face light up when that rice absorbed all those savory flavors reminded me why I love cooking—it's not about impressing anyone, it's about showing people you care by feeding them something warm and filling.
Ingredients
- Canned chicken breast: Two cans give you protein that's already cooked and ready, which is honestly the secret to making this whole thing work without standing over the stove for hours.
- Long grain white rice: The rice soaks up all the broth and becomes tender without turning mushy if you nail the timing.
- Mixed vegetables: Canned or frozen both work beautifully, and they add color and texture without any prep fuss.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies: This is where the dish gets its personality—don't skip the liquid, it becomes part of the cooking magic.
- Chicken broth: Three cups total—use bouillon cubes with water if store-bought broth isn't available, it works just as well.
- Vegetable oil: Two tablespoons help everything cook evenly and prevent sticking.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper: These humble seasonings transform canned ingredients into something that tastes like someone spent all day cooking.
- Onion: Small and optional, but if you have one, it adds a subtle sweetness when you sauté it first.
Instructions
- Start with the onion and oil:
- Heat the oil in your large pot over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion for 2 to 3 minutes until it softens and sweetens—you'll notice the smell changes, that's when you know it's ready.
- Toast the rice gently:
- Stir in your uncooked rice and let it cook for another 2 minutes, stirring as you go, until it picks up a light tan color and smells nutty—this step is more important than it sounds because it keeps the rice from turning into mush.
- Bring everything together:
- Add the drained canned chicken, mixed vegetables, and the tomatoes with all their liquid into the pot along with your chicken broth and all your seasonings, then stir everything until it's combined and the spices are evenly distributed.
- The slow simmer:
- Bring the pot to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover it with a lid, and let it simmer for 18 to 20 minutes—resist the urge to peek or stir, just let the rice drink up all that broth and flavor.
- Finish and taste:
- Fluff everything with a fork, taste it, and adjust the seasoning if you need more salt or a grind of pepper—trust your palate because every stove cooks differently.
Save There's something deeply satisfying about watching someone take a bite of a meal you made from Dollar Tree finds and then reach for seconds—it's proof that good food has nothing to do with price tags and everything to do with knowing what you're doing in the kitchen.
Why This Recipe Wins on a Budget
Every ingredient in this dish costs a fraction of what you'd spend at a restaurant, and the result is a complete meal for four people that feels substantial and flavorful. I used to think stretching a budget meant eating boring food, but recipes like this taught me that's just not true—constraints actually spark creativity, and sometimes the simplest pantry staples become your best friends.
Swaps and Variations That Work
If you have leftover rotisserie chicken instead of canned, shred it and use about the same amount—it'll taste even richer. Fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice elevate the whole dish if you can find them, and adding a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce transforms it if you like heat. Frozen mixed vegetables work perfectly if canned aren't available, and honestly, sometimes I add a handful of diced bell pepper if I have it lingering in the fridge.
Making This a Complete Meal
This one-pot dish is technically complete on its own, but I've found that serving it alongside something fresh makes the meal feel less utilitarian. A simple side salad with lime dressing feels luxurious, or even just some warm tortillas for scooping makes everyone at the table feel cared for.
- A squeeze of lime juice and fresh cilantro brighten everything right before serving.
- Pair it with warm tortillas, a green salad, or even avocado slices if you want to add another element.
- Leftover rice actually keeps well in the fridge for 3 days and reheats beautifully with a splash of water and the lid on.
Save This dish proved to me that some of the most memorable meals don't come from complicated recipes or expensive pantry items—they come from paying attention to technique and cooking with genuine care. Make this when you need comfort, when your budget is tight, or when you just want to prove to yourself that you've got this.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use fresh chicken instead of canned?
Yes, fresh cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken pieces can be substituted for canned chicken to enhance flavor and texture.
- → What can I use if I don’t have chicken broth?
Bouillon cubes dissolved in water work well as a broth substitute and add depth to the dish.
- → Is it possible to use frozen vegetables instead of canned?
Frozen mixed vegetables can be used if canned ones aren’t available, just add them directly during cooking.
- → How can I make the dish spicier?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of your preferred hot sauce to introduce heat and enhance flavor.
- → What tools are needed to prepare this dish?
A large pot with lid, cutting board, knife, measuring cups and spoons, can opener, and fork for fluffing the rice are required.