Creamy Chicken and Rice
This ultimate comfort food combines perfectly seared chicken breasts with fluffy rice and a rich, cheesy sauce that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen in under 45 minutes.
Equipment
- Large skillet with lid
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Creamy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth and salt to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until tender and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Gradually add the milk and chicken broth, whisking constantly to create a smooth sauce. Stir in garlic powder, thyme, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and the cheese is melted.
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Plate the cooked rice and top with the smothered chicken and sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, let chicken come to room temperature before cooking. The sauce can be made lighter by using 2% milk instead of whole milk. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.