Description
This Best Smothered Chicken and Rice recipe features tender, seared chicken breasts baked in a creamy mushroom sauce infused with garlic, onions, and herbs. Served over fluffy cooked rice, it’s a comforting and hearty meal perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
Sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Seasonings
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Serving
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for baking.
- Season and sear the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown but not fully cooked through.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté them for around 3 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant, enhancing the flavor base.
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, low-sodium chicken broth, soy sauce, paprika, and dried thyme. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble and bake: Place the seared chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Bake the chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through.
- Serve: Spoon the smothered chicken and sauce over cooked white or brown rice. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting meal.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and soy sauce to control the salt content.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of baking to allow it to reduce slightly.
- Feel free to substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a slightly different flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to at least 165°F (74°C).
- For added veggies, consider adding sliced mushrooms or bell peppers when sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: smothered chicken, chicken and rice, baked chicken, creamy mushroom sauce, comfort food, easy dinner
