Sam's Crispy Lemon Chicken and Rice Skillet
Campbell's creamy chicken and rice skillet gets lemon pepper, spinach, and a crisp Ritz topping for an easy family dinner.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 20 · Total: 30 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (173 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
Campbell's Kitchen — Campbell's official recipe archive (website)
An adapted Campbell's chicken and rice dinner with a lemony spinach boost and a crisp Ritz cracker topping.
Story
When I saw Campbell's 15-Minute Chicken & Rice Dinner, I knew it could save a busy weeknight, so I made it work a little harder for my house. I changed the soft finish into a lemony skillet with spinach and a crisp Ritz and Parmesan topping, and I wrote about the change in my notes because it really does make a difference. The soup keeps the sauce easy after my part-time shift, and the one-pan cleanup is exactly what I need before bedtime stories. You can see the original idea at [Campbell's Kitchen](https://www.campbells.com/recipes/15-minute-chicken-rice-dinner/), then make this cozy version your own, y'all.
By sam
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups instant brown rice
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 12 Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F and warm the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring a few times, until browned on the outside and almost cooked through.
- Stir in Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup, broth, rice, peas and carrots, lemon zest, lemon juice, and lemon pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, cover, and cook for 8 minutes, stirring once, until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Fold in the spinach, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with Parmesan and melted butter, and scatter the topping over the skillet.
- Broil for 1 to 2 minutes until the topping is golden, then rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Chef Tips
- This is my adaptation change: the lemon pepper, spinach, and Ritz Parmesan topping add a bright finish and crunch to the original quick skillet idea.
- Use instant white rice if that is what is in the pantry, and start checking after 6 minutes under the lid.
- If the mixture thickens before the rice is tender, stir in a splash of broth and keep cooking.
- For my kindergartner, I scoop out a plain portion before adding extra lemon pepper at the table.
Cook's Notes
- **Adaptation:** Lemon pepper, spinach, and the Ritz Parmesan topping are the meaningful changes from the Campbell's starting point.
- **Rice:** Use instant rice, not regular long-grain rice, for the quick timing.
- **Chicken:** Cut pieces evenly so they finish together.
- **Family table:** Keep extra lemon and pepper on the side for different tastes.