Description
Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice is a creamy, cheesy one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, fragrant garlic, parmesan cheese, and fluffy rice for a comforting and easy-to-make dinner perfect for any weeknight.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3–4 garlic cloves, freshly minced
Dairy
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Grains
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
Liquids
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and optional Italian herbs. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides, locking in juices and creating a flavorful crust, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Butter: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and add minced garlic. Cook briefly until fragrant but not browned, releasing an aromatic base for the dish.
- Add Rice and Broth: Stir 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice into the garlic butter mixture, coating each grain evenly. Pour in 2 ½ cups chicken broth, stirring to incorporate the browned bits from the skillet to boost flavor.
- Simmer with Chicken: Nestle the seared chicken back on top of the rice mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer gently for about 20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Finish with Parmesan Cheese: Remove chicken from the skillet to rest briefly. Stir 1 cup grated parmesan cheese into the hot rice to melt smoothly, creating a creamy, cheesy texture. Slice the chicken, arrange on top of the rice, and garnish with extra parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor over pre-minced or powdered garlic.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken to add flavor and seal in moisture.
- Measure broth carefully to avoid soggy or undercooked rice.
- Use good quality parmesan cheese for optimal taste and texture.
- Allow chicken to rest before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg