Description
Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich and creamy garlic-parmesan sauce, served over fluffy white rice. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients with a luscious sauce to create a satisfying, homestyle meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
To Serve
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to build a flavorful base.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low and add the butter. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic and finely chopped onion until they become fragrant and soft, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Make the roux: Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and onion mixture, whisking constantly to form a smooth roux. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes without letting it brown.
- Add liquids and season: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps. Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, dried thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Cover and let simmer on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy smothered chicken and sauce over warm cooked white rice. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness and color. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lower fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, keeping in mind the sauce will be less rich and thick.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese will enhance the sauce’s flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when searing the chicken; cook in batches if necessary to achieve a good sear.
- This dish pairs well with steamed green vegetables or a simple side salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Creamy chicken, smothered chicken, chicken and rice, one skillet chicken, creamy sauce chicken, easy dinner recipe
