Easy Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice
This comforting dish is perfect for busy nights, delivering a creamy and flavorful meal your whole family will love.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts About 1.5 pounds
- 1 cup rice Uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted with half-and-half or a non-dairy product
- 1 medium onion Diced
- 3 cloves garlic Minced
- 1 cup frozen peas Optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon parsley Fresh or dried for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
Cook Rice
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rice with 2 cups water or chicken broth and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to the lowest setting.
- Cover tightly and simmer for 15-18 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, let rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Cook Chicken
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken pieces into the hot oil and sear for 4-6 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the same skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Build and Simmer Creamy Sauce
- Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and the optional 1 cup frozen peas. Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C) and the sauce has slightly thickened to your desired consistency.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed with additional salt and pepper.
Serve and Garnish
- Spoon a generous portion of the fluffy cooked rice onto individual plates.
- Place the tender, creamy smothered chicken over the rice, ensuring to spoon plenty of the rich, velvety sauce over both the chicken and the rice.
- Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Tips to make include patting the chicken dry before seasoning for a nice sear. Adjust cooking time based on chicken thickness. Other veggies like carrots or bell peppers can be added for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 40gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 880mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
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