Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice Recipe
This comforting Chicken and Rice recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with creamy, flavorful rice cooked in chicken broth and a rich milk-based sauce. The dish is enhanced with aromatic herbs and spices for a satisfying, homestyle meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. This step enhances the flavor and ensures the chicken is well-seasoned.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the rice: In the same skillet, add the rice along with the chicken broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Make the sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the whole milk and 1/2 cup chicken broth, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens. Add garlic powder and thyme, stirring to combine.
- Combine and simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet on top of the rice. Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken and rice. Cover and simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors and heat everything through.
- Serve: Once heated through, serve the chicken breasts over the creamy rice with sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and enjoy your delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the whole milk with a lower fat milk option if preferred, though the sauce may be less rich.
- For added vegetable nutrition, stir in steamed peas or sautéed mushrooms during the last simmer.
- Make sure to cover the skillet properly while cooking the rice to ensure even steaming.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in a microwave.
Keywords: chicken and rice, creamy chicken, stovetop chicken recipe, easy dinner, one-pan chicken and rice
