Imagine getting four delicious, high-protein meals for just £5. That’s the beauty of this one-pan chicken, beans, and rice recipe. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with flavour – all while being incredibly budget-friendly.
The Cajun seasoning brings just the right amount of warmth, while the chicken, rice, and kidney beans create a perfectly balanced meal. Everything comes together in one pan, meaning minimal washing up and maximum convenience.
This dish is perfect for meal prep too. It tastes just as good cold, making it a great option to take to work or enjoy on busy days. With 34g of protein per serving, it’ll keep you full and fuelled.
Good food doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive – this recipe is proof.
Tips
- Rinse your rice before adding it to the pan. This helps remove excess starch so it cooks up fluffy and doesn’t clump.
- Stir regularly while it’s simmering — rice can easily stick to the bottom, especially in a one-pan dish.
- Add the beans only at the end. They’re already cooked, so they just need to be warmed through with the rest of the dish. This keeps their texture intact and stops them from going mushy.
- This dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days and tastes just as good cold, making it perfect for lunchboxes.
Swaps
Chicken: Chicken breast is lean and high in protein, but chicken thighs work just as well if you prefer a juicier, more flavourful cut. You could also swap the chicken with cooked sausages, prawns, or even a tin of lentils for a veggie version. Leftover roast chicken also works beautifully.
Cajun seasoning: If you don’t have Cajun spice, try a mix of smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of chilli.
Kidney beans: Black beans, cannellini beans or even chickpeas are great alternatives.
Storage
Fridge:
Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days. It’s great cold, so ideal for packed lunches, but can also be reheated if you prefer it warm.
Reheating:
Reheat gently in a microwave or in a pan until piping hot. Add a splash of water before reheating to stop the rice from drying out.
Freezer:
Freezing isn’t recommended for this recipe, as the rice and vegetables can become too soft and lose their texture.
More Budget-Friendly Meals
One-Pan Chicken, Beans & Rice
Ingredients
- 150 g basmati rice
- 320 g chicken
- 1 red pepper
- 1 can chopped tomato
- 1 onion
- 1 stock cube with 500ml water
- 10 g Cajun seasoning
- 1 can red kidney beans
Instructions
- Add onion and peppers to a pan and cook.
- Push the onion and pepper on one side and then add chicken on the free side of the pan. Sprinkle 1/2 of the Cajun seasoning on top of vegetables and chicken.
- Cook until the chicken in cooked through. Mix chicken and vegetables
- Add tomato sauce and the rest of the Cajun seasoning.
- When this is bubbling add the rice and stock,
- Cook with lid on for ~15 minutes or until the rice is ready (if needed, add extra hot water). Make sure you stir regularly, to avoid the rice sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- When the rice is ready add the beans and cook for 1 minute (just so the beans are hot).
- Add some salt and pepper to taste.