Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice
A comforting and easy one-pan dish featuring seared chicken, creamy sauce, and flavorful rice, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- to taste salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ tsp salt
For the Creamy Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnish
- to taste fresh parsley (chopped) for garnish
Instructions
Searing the Chicken
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and sear for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Cooking the Rice
- In the same skillet, add the long-grain white rice.
- Stir it around for a couple of minutes until it becomes slightly toasted.
- Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and ½ tsp of salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked.
Making the Creamy Sauce
- While the rice is cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to make a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the whole milk and ½ cup of chicken broth.
- Add the garlic powder, dried thyme, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Cook until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
Assembling the Dish
- Once the rice is finished, place the seared chicken back in the skillet with the rice.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken and rice, making sure everything is well coated.
Serving
- Garnish the dish with fresh chopped parsley and serve it hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken for a few hours before cooking. You can add vegetables like peas or broccoli to the rice for a nutritional boost. Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.