Description
A creamy and flavorful Garlic Parmesan Rice with Chicken, featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed with garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese, combined with perfectly cooked rice for an easy, comforting stovetop meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, 1/2 teaspoon
- Black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon
- Dried thyme or Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon
Rice and Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional for creamier texture)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and thyme, and cook for 5–6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Toast the rice: Stir the uncooked rice into the garlic butter mixture. Toast the rice for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat the rice evenly and enhance its flavor.
- Cook the rice: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15–18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been fully absorbed.
- Combine and finish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (if using), and the cooked chicken pieces. Mix everything until creamy, well combined, and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a one-pot meal, add a handful of baby spinach or peas at the end of cooking to boost nutrition and color.
- Substitute chicken with shrimp for a seafood variation.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Use gluten-free chicken broth and Parmesan cheese to keep the recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
