Mediterranean Chicken and Chickpea Rice Skillet
A warm, comforting 20-minute skillet meal using tender leftover shredded chicken simmered with brown rice, chickpeas, bell peppers, and spinach in a lightly seasoned tomato broth. Free of gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, and added sugar for a nourishing family dinner.
Prep
8 min
Cook
12 min
Total
20 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Marie + Lila
Marie created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
Protein consistency
Make a nourishing habit easier
This is another practical opportunity to include protein and varied whole foods—small habits that are easier to repeat than a perfect diet.
Notice: protein across the day
Well-nourished skin
Support from the whole plate
Regular meals with enough protein, plants and fats support overall nourishment. Think consistency, not one miracle ingredient.
Notice: consistency + hydration
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
8 min
Cook
12 min
Total
20 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
If your leftover chicken breast is already seasoned, adjust added salt or herbs to match the existing flavor profile.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 7 steps complete
Next: Heat 1 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil…
- 01
Heat 1 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil…
Heat 1 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 1 minute until shimmering.
Look for: shimmering
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add 2 garlic cloves (minced) and 0
Add 2 garlic cloves (minced) and 0.5 red bell pepper (diced) to the pan, stirring continuously for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Look for: softened and fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 03
Pour in 0
Pour in 0.5 cup of crushed tomato, 0.25 cup of chicken broth, 0.33 cup of drained chickpeas, and 0.5 cup of brown rice, stirring thoroughly to combine.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add 120g of leftover shredded chicken breast…
Add 120g of leftover shredded chicken breast to the skillet and gently stir until coated in the sauce.
Look for: coated in the sauce
Tap card to mark done - 05
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer…
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for 5 minutes until heated through.
Look for: heated through
Tap card to mark done - 06
Remove the lid
Remove the lid, fold in 1 cup of fresh spinach, and stir for 2 minutes until the spinach is fully wilted.
Look for: the spinach is fully wilted
Tap card to mark done - 07
Remove from heat
Remove from heat, let rest for 2 minutes, and serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Allow: 2 minutes
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