Description
This Smothered Chicken and Rice recipe offers a comforting, creamy, and flavorful one-pan meal. Tender chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection and then baked nestled in a creamy, herb-infused sauce with long-grain rice, onion, and garlic. Finished with fresh parsley, this dish is perfect for a wholesome family dinner ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Rice and Sauce
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and rice mixture.
- Heat Oil: In an oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat to get ready for searing the chicken.
- Sear Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear them in the skillet for 3–4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Toast Rice: Stir in the uncooked long-grain rice and toast it with the onions and garlic for about 1 minute to enhance its flavor.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, add thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir everything thoroughly to combine the ingredients well.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet on top of the rice mixture. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken to keep it moist.
- Bake: Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness, then serve warm.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to easily go from stovetop to oven without transferring ingredients.
- Covering the dish while baking helps steam the rice and keep the chicken moist.
- Feel free to substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, but cooking time may vary slightly.
- Check the internal temperature of chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the dish before serving.
