Description
This Easy Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice Delight is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sauce with savory spices and cheddar cheese, all nestled on a bed of perfectly cooked rice. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a delicious and satisfying dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Rice and Sauce
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Season Chicken: Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
- Toast the Rice: Stir in the long-grain white rice, allowing it to toast lightly for about 1 minute while stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits for added flavor. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Return Chicken and Cook: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet atop the rice mixture. Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low. Allow to cook for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Melting the Cheese: Remove the lid and evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and rice. Cover again for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh finishing touch and serve the dish warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk; note that cooking time may increase slightly.
- Add vegetables like peas or mushrooms during the onion sauté step for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be topped with extra cheese if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
