Description
Whipping up One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice means your weeknight dinner just got super simple and delicious. Grab your skillet and get ready for a comforting meal that comes together faster than you can order takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 ½ cups brown rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Finishing Ingredients:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet at 375°F over medium-high heat, creating a perfect searing surface for your chicken.
- Combine 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon paprika to season your chicken pieces thoroughly.
- Place the seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to sear for exactly 4-5 minutes per side until your chicken reaches a beautiful golden-brown color.
- Transfer the seared chicken to a clean plate, keeping it warm and ready for later.
- Without washing the skillet, add 1 ½ cups uncooked white rice, stirring for precisely 60 seconds to develop a subtle toasted flavor.
- Pour 2 ½ cups chicken broth into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the pan’s bottom.
- Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the rice simmer for 17 minutes until tender.
- After rice is cooked, create a small clearing in the skillet and melt 2 tablespoons butter in that space.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the melted butter, sautéing for 30 seconds until your kitchen fills with a fragrant aroma.
- Pour ½ cup heavy cream into the skillet, stirring smoothly to combine with the pan’s existing flavors.
- Sprinkle ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes into the cream, mixing until your sauce becomes silky and uniform.
- Nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet, allowing it to warm through and absorb the creamy sauce for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while the dish remains piping hot.
Notes
- Toasting the rice before adding liquid helps develop a nutty, richer flavor that makes this dish more complex.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt and reduce the amount of Parmesan cheese.
- Choose chicken thighs instead of breasts for more moisture and deeper taste, especially if cooking for people who prefer juicier meat.
- Ensure your skillet has a tight-fitting lid to maintain proper steam and moisture while cooking the rice perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg