Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice
A hearty, family-style comfort dinner featuring golden-seared chicken in a rich cream sauce served over fluffy rice.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Garnish before serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat chicken dry and season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked (165°F internal temp). Transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then heavy cream and milk. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over, and simmer for 2–3 minutes so flavors meld.
- Plate chicken over warm rice, pour extra sauce on top, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
Rice options: Serve over jasmine rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter version. Cook rice in advance to cut down on dinner-time prep. Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or peas for extra nutrition. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.