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Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice Recipe

Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 11 reviews

This Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich and flavorful creamy sauce with garlic, onions, and herbs, served over perfectly cooked rice. It’s a comforting one-pan meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a hearty family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (About 1.5 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Rice and Sauce

  • 1 cup rice (Uncooked)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (Can be substituted with half-and-half or a non-dairy product)

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1 medium onion (Diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (Minced)
  • 1 cup frozen peas (Optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon parsley (Fresh or dried for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them evenly with paprika, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. This ensures flavorful chicken that will complement the creamy sauce.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, add diced onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and translucent, building the base of the sauce.
  4. Add Rice and Broth: Stir the uncooked rice into the onion and garlic mixture, coating the grains. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits, then bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Return Chicken and Add Cream: Nestle the seared chicken breasts on top of the rice. Pour the heavy cream evenly over the chicken and rice. Cover the skillet tightly.
  6. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
  7. Add Peas: About 5 minutes before the end of cooking, sprinkle in the frozen peas if using, stirring gently to combine without breaking the chicken.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Once done, sprinkle fresh or dried parsley over the top for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve hot, spooning the creamy rice alongside the tender chicken.

Notes

  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a non-dairy cream alternative to reduce fat content.
  • Use gluten-free chicken broth to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • For added flavor, add a splash of white wine before adding the broth.
  • Frozen peas are optional; try adding other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers.
  • Ensure the skillet is tightly covered during simmering to cook the rice properly.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken recipe, smothered chicken, chicken and rice, one pan chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/creamy-smothered-chicken-and-rice-recipe-3/