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Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe

Creamy smothered chicken and rice dish with golden seared chicken thighs.
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This one-pan wonder is the ultimate comfort food. Juicy chicken thighs are seared and then simmered in a creamy, cheesy sauce with rice, creating a complete and deeply satisfying meal. It's simple to make, family-friendly, and tastes even better as leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken dry. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, pepper, and salt. Season chicken on both sides, then lightly dredge in flour.
  2. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add rinsed rice to the skillet and toast for 1 minute, stirring. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  5. Nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet on top of the rice. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
  6. Remove lid. Pour heavy cream evenly over everything. Sprinkle cheddar and Parmesan cheese on top. Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
  7. Turn off heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream. Add frozen peas or spinach with the cream for extra veggies. Ensure you do not peek while the rice is simmering to allow it to cook properly. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.stacksipsnack.com/creamy-smothered-chicken-rice-recipe/