Description
Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is a comforting, flavorful dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy sauce with aromatic onions, garlic, and optional peas, served over perfectly cooked chicken broth-infused rice. This one-pan recipe delivers a homey, satisfying meal perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Rice
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 cup heavy cream (can be substituted with half-and-half or a non-dairy product)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley (fresh or dried, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to package instructions, using chicken broth in place of water for added flavor. Once cooked, set aside.
- Sauté Onions: While the rice cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Chicken: Season chicken breasts with paprika, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Add them to the skillet with onions and garlic. Cook 5-6 minutes per side until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Make Cream Sauce: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Lower heat and pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine with pan ingredients. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Peas: If using, stir in frozen peas and cook 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors and warm chicken.
- Serve: Spoon creamy smothered chicken and sauce over the cooked rice. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of water when cooking rice for deeper flavor.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or non-dairy alternatives like coconut cream for a lighter or dairy-free option.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Frozen peas are optional but add a nice pop of color and sweetness.
- For a gluten-free meal, verify that all ingredients and chicken broth are gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with rice and sauce (~1 cup cooked rice, 1/4 recipe sauce)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy smothered chicken, chicken and rice recipe, one-pan chicken dinner, creamy chicken breast, easy dinner recipe
