Description

This Best Smothered Chicken and Rice recipe features tender, golden-brown chicken breasts cooked to perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Served over fluffy, seasoned long-grain white rice, this comforting dish combines simple ingredients to deliver deep flavors and a satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil

Rice

1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
Salt, to taste

Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1½ cups whole milk
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Season and cook chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the rice: In a saucepan, bring the chicken broth and a pinch of salt to a boil. Stir in the long-grain white rice, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and keep covered.
Make the cheese sauce: Using the same skillet you cooked the chicken in, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Gradually add the whole milk while whisking continuously to create a smooth sauce. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Combine and serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the cheese sauce, spooning the sauce over the chicken to coat it well. Serve the smothered chicken hot over a bed of the cooked rice for a hearty, comforting meal.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with the seasonings for 30 minutes before cooking.
Use low-sodium chicken broth if you want to control the salt level.
You can substitute the cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
To make the dish lighter, swap whole milk with 2% milk or use half-and-half for a richer sauce.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

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