Description
Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts served over fluffy long-grain white rice, all smothered in a rich and creamy cheese sauce. Infused with flavorful spices like smoked paprika, garlic, and thyme, this one-pan meal is perfect for a cozy dinner and garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finishing touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ tsp salt
Creamy Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear them for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Rice: In the same skillet, add the long-grain white rice and pour in the chicken broth along with ½ tsp salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Prepare the Creamy Cheese Sauce: While the rice cooks, melt the unsalted butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour to form a roux, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the whole milk and additional chicken broth if needed until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the garlic powder, dried thyme, shredded cheddar cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the seared chicken breasts back to the skillet with the cooked rice. Pour the creamy cheese sauce evenly over the chicken and rice. Cover the skillet and let everything simmer on low heat for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to heat through completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm and enjoy this flavorful, creamy comfort meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute whole milk with 2% or skim milk and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Make sure to keep the heat moderate when simmering the rice to avoid burning it at the bottom of the skillet.
- If preferred, substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier, richer flavor.
- Leftover creamy chicken and rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Add steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans on the side for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamy smothered chicken, chicken and rice, cheesy chicken dish, comfort food, stovetop chicken recipe
