Description
A quick, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and fluffy rice simmered in a rich, creamy parmesan sauce. Perfect for busy families and ready in about 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- Long grain white rice (Jasmine or Basmati)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt, black pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning.
- Heat butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add uncooked rice to the pan and stir constantly for 2 minutes to toast slightly.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return seared chicken and juices to the pan. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer undisturbed for 15-18 minutes.
- Remove lid. Ensure chicken is cooked through (165°F). Remove chicken to a plate.
- Stir heavy cream and remaining Italian seasoning into the rice mixture. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken.
- Reduce heat to low. Gradually stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Return chicken to the pan, toss to coat in sauce, and let sit for 2 minutes before serving with fresh parsley.
Notes
Do not rinse the rice to retain starch for thickening. Do not lift the lid during simmering to ensure rice cooks properly. Use freshly grated parmesan to avoid grainy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth. If too thin, simmer uncovered briefly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 45
Keywords: creamy parmesan chicken and rice, one pan dinner, easy weeknight meals, family friendly recipes, comfort food, quick dinner