Name: Skillet Chicken, Zucchini, and Cheesy Rice
Total time: 50 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 1 cup long-grain white rice; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 zucchini, shredded; 1 onion, chopped fine; 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme; 1/2 teaspoon table salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 (2½-pound) rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded, meat shredded into bite-size pieces (3 cups); 1 cup chicken broth; 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup); 1 1/2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (3⁄4 cup); Chopped fresh basil for serving

Why This Recipe Works

Shredding the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater and cooking it down in butter drew out its moisture and softened it into a silky, almost creamy element that melted into the rice rather than sitting on top of it. We cooked the rice extra-quickly by opting for the pasta method—boiling it in a large amount of water and then draining it. A combination of sharp cheddar and Parmesan added both sharp, tangy flavor and a savory, nutty depth. Finishing the dish under the broiler gave the Parmesan topping a golden, lightly crunchy crust. Rotisserie chicken was a convenient shortcut ingredient that helped to upgrade this cheesy rice dish to a main course.

Before You Begin

Use medium zucchini that weigh about 8 ounces each, and shred them on the large holes of a box grater.

Instructions

Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost cooked through, about 12 minutes. Drain rice in fine-mesh strainer; set aside.

Meanwhile, melt butter in 12-inch ovensafe skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, onion, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook until zucchini is wilted and most of its excess moisture has cooked off, about 10 minutes. Stir in chicken and broth and cook until chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.

Off heat, stir in rice and cheddar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Smooth top and sprinkle with Parmesan. Transfer skillet to oven and broil until Parmesan is melted and spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Serve, topped with basil.