Description
This creamy smothered chicken and rice dish features tender, pan-seared chicken in a flavorful, garlic-infused cream sauce with perfectly cooked rice. It’s a hearty, comforting meal that’s easy to make!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 chicken thighs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Rice:
- 1 cup white or brown rice
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
Cook the Rice:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of chicken broth or water to a boil.
- Stir in 1 cup of rice and salt, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-18 minutes (or 35 minutes for brown rice).
- Fluff with a fork and set aside.
-
Season & Sear the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
-
Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat.
- Sauté onion for 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
-
Simmer & Smother:
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top.
- Cover and let simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked (internal temp reaches 165°F/75°C).
-
Assemble & Serve:
- Spoon rice onto plates and top with smothered chicken and sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
-
Enjoy!
- Serve hot with a side of roasted veggies or a simple salad.
Notes
- Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
- Extra Flavor: Add mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for a veggie boost.