Posted August 23, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

This delicious and cozy 30-Minute Creamy Chicken with Rice is the perfect quick and easy comfort food the whole family will love! Loaded with tender pieces of chicken steamed along with fluffy rice then topped off with some cream and Parmesan cheese!

Easy and Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe

Who doesn’t love a good one pot or one skillet wonder?! They make cleanup a breeze! And ironically, these dishes are often some of the most affordable and also the tastiest. I think the chili was invented for this reason! But it’s also possible to make one-pan dishes like One Pot Pasta and this creamy chicken and rice. Yes it’s true! Done right, you can even cook pasta or rice in the same pot as everything else.

Not to mention, if you think about it, when you cook a bunch of ingredients together, they just meld together and become a flavor bomb! Plus, this recipe itself is a bit special! You see, I’ve upgraded my classic instant pot chicken and rice by making it creamy and adding some Parmesan cheese. The result is a super easy and comforting meal with a refined finish. However, this creamy chicken and rice recipe does not require an Instant Pot.

This dish is delicious when served with a simple green salad or my Skillet Green Beans. But you can also turn it into a complete meal by simply tossing some frozen peas and carrots into the pan at the end, or adding some fresh baby spinach.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken and Rice

• Quick and easy! All you need to make this delicious dish is a skillet, basic ingredients, and 30 minutes! This recipe is perfect for beginners and those who don’t love to cook.
• Creamy Cheesy Chicken! This delicious recipe puts a little twist on the classic homemade chicken and rice by adding some rich heavy cream and salty Parmesan cheese.
• Lunch on weekdays! Perfect for weekly family meal planning, this creamy chicken and rice is easy to prepare, affordable, and toddler-friendly.

Ingredients you will need

• Chicken – I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you like.
• Spices: Sweet paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder are used to season the chicken before cooking.
• Butter – Always use unsalted butter unless the recipe says otherwise.
• Onion – Brown onion is the best option. But you can use any type of onion you have on hand.
• Garlic – For the best flavor, mince your own fresh garlic cloves. Jarred garlic can sometimes taste bitter.
• Italian seasoning: This is usually a mixture of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. If you don’t have any on hand, just use a combination of whatever you have in your pantry.
• Long Grain Rice – I used jasmine rice. Basmati rice or regular long-grain rice will also work, but I don’t recommend using short-grain rice, brown rice, or wild rice.
• Chicken broth – I always use low sodium chicken broth to control the amount of salt added.
• Seasonings – Salt and black pepper are needed to season the dish.
• Heavy Cream – Gives rice its creamy texture and adds richness.
• Parmesan Cheese – Makes the dish cheesy and delicious. Freshly grated Parmesan is the best option. Cheddar cheese is another option.
• Parsley: used to garnish the dish and give it a fresh finish.

How to make creamy chicken and rice

This recipe is an easy one-pan wonder that you can whip up in 30 minutes! Just make sure to follow the instructions when it comes time to cook the rice and the dish will be perfect!

To start, pat the chicken breast pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then sprinkle them with the sweet paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. Then, reserve the chicken for a later step.

Once the chicken is seasoned, you can start cooking the onion and garlic. First, melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Then add the onions to the pan and sauté them for about 3 minutes or until they are soft and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and cook the mixture for just 30 more seconds until fragrant.

Next, add the reserved chicken to the hot skillet. Then give everything a stir and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Do your best to brown the chicken pieces on all sides for a tastier dish.

Once the chicken is browned, add the Italian seasoning, uncooked rice, chicken broth, and a little salt and pepper for seasoning. Now, bring the rice mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Then lower the heat, cover the pan, and let the rice simmer for 15 minutes. Do not remove the cap. The rice does not need to be stirred and it will not steam properly if disturbed.

After the rice has cooked for 15 minutes, remove the lid from the pan and add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Now, let the rice cook for a few more minutes to soak up most of the heavy cream. Then taste the dish and season with more salt and black pepper if necessary. Finally, garnish the creamy chicken and rice with some fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Can I use brown rice?

I do not recommend making this recipe with brown rice because it takes much longer to cook than white rice. Brown rice also requires a different ratio of water to rice. That being said, if you try this recipe with brown rice it will not turn out correctly. However, if you know how to substitute white rice for brown rice in recipes, give it a try! And tell me how it turns out.

Why is my rice soft?

If your rice is rubbery or mushy, it means you overcooked it or added too much liquid and not enough rice. That is why it is very important to accurately measure all the ingredients when cooking. The good news is that even soft rice is still delicious!

Storage

Leftover Creamy Chicken and Rice will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat leftovers, simply sprinkle them with a little water, then microwave covered with cling film for about 3-4 minutes on medium power. You can also cover the rice with aluminum foil and reheat it in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 12 minutes.

Leftovers will also keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. But you should let them thaw overnight in the fridge before you reheat them.

Creamy Chicken And Rice

Prepare 25 minutes minutes

Cook 10 minutes minutes

Total 35 minutes minutes

Notice: Nutrition is automatically calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutritional calculations.