Description
This Creamy Chicken and Rice recipe is a comforting one-pan meal that combines tender diced chicken breast with sautéed onions, garlic, and long-grain white rice cooked in savory chicken broth. Finished with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of herbs, this dish is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. The addition of buttery peas adds a fresh pop of color and texture, making it a satisfying dinner perfect for any night.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Grains and Liquids
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot and shimmering.
- Cook chicken: Add the diced chicken breast to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through.
- Remove chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate to keep warm.
- Sauté onions: In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring to release the fragrance.
- Add rice: Stir in the uncooked rice, mixing it with the onions and garlic.
- Toast rice: Toast the rice for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally to lightly brown it and enhance flavor.
- Pour broth: Add chicken broth to the skillet and stir to combine with the rice.
- Boil mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer rice: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Cook peas: While the rice cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, add frozen peas, and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through, then remove from heat.
- Add cream and cheese: Remove skillet from heat; stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper.
- Combine ingredients: Stir well to incorporate all ingredients into a creamy sauce.
- Return chicken: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and stir into the rice mixture.
- Add peas: Fold in the cooked peas gently to blend them into the dish.
- Season: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Rest dish: Cover skillet and let the mixture rest for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally garnished with additional parsley or Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast with thighs for a juicier texture.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk.
- Make sure to cover the skillet during rice cooking to ensure even steaming.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
