Description
Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Rice is a comforting, one-dish baked meal featuring tender chicken breasts nestled in a richly flavored tomato and sun-dried tomato rice. Infused with aromatic oregano, paprika, and garlic, this creamy dish is finished with fresh basil and melted parmesan, resulting in a delicious, creamy, and satisfying dinner perfect for family-style serving.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bake:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 6 oz sun dried tomatoes, finely chopped (about 1/4-inch pieces)
- 1.5 tbsp tomato paste (preferably Hunt’s)
- 1.5 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1.5 cups rice, rinsed in cold water until clear
- 22 oz chicken stock (preferably Swanson)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
For the Finish:
- 3.5 oz cream, room temperature
- 2 oz parmesan, freshly grated
- 1 bunch fresh basil, roughly chopped or whole leaves
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep Ingredients: Preheat oven to 350°F. Rinse rice in cold water until water runs clear to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy, separate grains. Finely chop sun-dried tomatoes, grate parmesan fresh, and roughly chop basil. Measure out spices for easy assembly.
- Prepare Baking Dish Mixture: In a large 9×13 inch baking dish, combine tomato paste, oregano, garlic powder, and paprika to form a spiced base. Add rinsed rice and chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly so rice is well coated and tomatoes are evenly distributed.
- Add Chicken and Stock: Arrange the 4 chicken breasts evenly on top of the rice mixture, pressing them gently into the rice. Pour the 22 oz chicken stock over the mixture, making sure the rice is mostly submerged to absorb flavors and cook evenly.
- Bake Covered: Cover dish tightly with foil and bake in oven for 30 minutes. Then remove foil, gently stir rice to redistribute, and check chicken internal temperature (should be 165°F) and rice tenderness. If needed, cover and bake an additional 10-20 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is creamy.
- Finish the Rice Sauce: Remove chicken breasts to a cutting board. Pour room-temperature cream into hot rice and stir gently but thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Add freshly grated parmesan and stir until completely melted. The cream’s temperature prevents curdling, and fresh parmesan melts smoothly.
- Reassemble and Garnish: Place chicken breasts back into the creamy rice, nestling them in evenly. Scatter fresh basil over the top just before serving to maintain bright color and fresh taste. Serve family-style or individually plate with one chicken breast and a generous helping of creamy tomato rice.
Notes
- Rinsing rice removes starch, preventing clumpy or gummy rice.
- Room temperature cream helps prevent curdling when added to hot rice.
- Freshly grated parmesan melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before baking as chicken stock can vary in saltiness.
- Use a tightly fitting foil cover to trap steam and cook rice evenly.
- Letting rice rest briefly after baking helps thickness and prevents splattering when stirring in cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken rice bake, creamy chicken bake, parmesan chicken, sun dried tomato chicken, one dish chicken dinner, baked rice with chicken
