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Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice

A comforting dish featuring tender chicken in a rich creamy sauce served over fluffy rice, perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Seasoning
  • 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 chicken thighs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter For searing
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Creamy Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon butter For sauce
  • ½ small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Rice Ingredients
  • 1 cup white or brown rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
Garnish
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Extra Parmesan cheese For garnish

Method
 

Cook the Rice
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of broth or water to a boil. Stir in the rice and salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15–18 minutes (white rice) or 35 minutes (brown rice). Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Season & Sear the Chicken
  1. Pat chicken dry and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Make the Creamy Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté the onions for 2 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Pour in chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the pan.
  4. Stir in cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer until slightly thickened.
Simmer & Smother
  1. Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top, cover, and let simmer on low heat for 5–7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Assemble & Serve
  1. Plate the rice, top with chicken and creamy sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Ensure the chicken is seasoned well for better flavor. Don’t rush the simmering process; this helps the sauce thicken and enhances the flavors. You can add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.