Our Most Popular Recipe of 2025 (And Why Everyone’s Making It)

Comfort food isn’t just something I crave when the temperature drops or I’ve had a chaotic day. A dinner that’s cozy and soul-satisfying suits me no matter the weather or my mood. That’s why I’ll gladly cook up a pot of pasta multiple times a week or simmer a big pot of vegetable soup over the weekend to dip into for days after. 

Simply Recipes’ most popular recipe of 2025 is comfort food I’d never say no to. Our One-Pot Chicken and Rice is as cozy as it sounds. 

The Simple Comfort of Chicken and Rice

Chicken and rice isn’t anything new, but our version, from author Stephanie Burt’s mom, is a streamlined approach that hits all the right notes. Using frozen boneless, skinless chicken tenders means you don’t even need to take the chicken out to thaw. The chicken is boiled straight from the freezer until it’s mostly cooked through, then celery, onion, rice, and a can of condensed cream of chicken soup are added to the same pot of water and chicken and simmered until the liquid is mostly absorbed. Finally, the pot is transferred to a 350°F oven for 30 minutes to ensure everything is cooked and the top is golden. 

Why Our Readers Love This Recipe

This chicken and rice recipe keeps well in the fridge for almost a whole week and freezes great. In fact, Stephanie’s mother often sends her home with chicken and rice when she visits. Even if you’re not serving six to eight people for dinner, make the whole recipe and save leftovers for future meals or gift them to someone who could use a little comfort.

Uncomplicated is the name of the game here, but don’t be afraid to give this recipe your own spin. Add garlic, a bay leaf, cumin, or fennel seeds to the pot, or replace the celery and onion with vegetables like carrots, leeks, mushrooms, or peppers. You could even stir in a little grated cheese, like cheddar or parmesan, before transferring the pot of chicken and rice to the oven. However you make it, you’re in for something good.