Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice
Smothered Chicken and Rice is the ultimate comfort food! Juicy chicken in a creamy sauce over fluffy rice—easy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add chopped onion and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Cook the Rice: Stir in the uncooked rice, chicken broth, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Smother the Chicken: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the rice mixture. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 25 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Add Cream & Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and let the cheese melt for 5 minutes.
- Garnish & Serve: Top with crumbled bacon (if using) and fresh parsley. Serve warm.