Description
Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Rice is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender oven-baked chicken breasts nestled in a savory, creamy tomato and sun-dried tomato-infused rice, finished with fresh basil and melted Parmesan cheese for rich, layered flavors.
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 (Swanson preferred)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For the finish:
- 3.5 oz cream, room temperature
- 2 oz Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 bunch fresh basil, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear to remove excess starch. Finely chop sun-dried tomatoes, grate Parmesan cheese fresh, and roughly chop basil. Measure spices and have ingredients ready.
- Combine base ingredients: In a large baking dish (9×13 inches or similar), stir together tomato paste, oregano, garlic powder, and paprika to create a flavorful spice base. Add rinsed rice, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat rice and distribute tomatoes.
- Assemble and add stock: Nestle chicken breasts evenly into the rice mixture. Pour chicken stock over everything, ensuring the rice is mostly submerged to allow absorption while baking.
- Bake covered: Cover dish tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil, stir rice gently to redistribute, and check chicken for doneness (internal temperature of 165°F) and rice tenderness. If needed, cover and bake an additional 10-20 minutes until rice is creamy and liquid absorbed.
- Finish rice sauce: Let rice settle for one minute after baking. Remove chicken to a cutting board. Stir room-temperature cream into hot rice gently to create a smooth sauce. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over rice and stir until fully melted and incorporated.
- Reassemble and serve: Return chicken breasts to the dish, nestling them into the creamy rice. Scatter fresh basil over the top just before serving to maintain bright flavor and color. Serve family-style or plate individually.
Notes
- Rinsing rice removes excess starch and ensures fluffy, separated grains.
- Using room-temperature cream prevents curdling when added to hot rice.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and provides superior flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Letting the rice settle after baking helps avoid splattering when stirring in cream.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Parmesan chicken, baked chicken and rice, creamy tomato rice, sun-dried tomato chicken, one-dish chicken recipe
