Description
This One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. Tender, seasoned chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection and simmered in a creamy Parmesan-infused rice mixture, creating a rich and satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Rice Mixture
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season and heat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Prepare the rice mixture: In the same skillet, add the rice, chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all ingredients and scrape up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer with chicken: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the rice mixture. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover the skillet and reduce heat to low. Let it cook for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the rice is tender, absorbing all the creamy flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish. Serve warm, enjoying the rich, creamy Parmesan chicken and rice in one comforting pan.
Notes
- For even cooking, ensure chicken breasts are of similar thickness or pound them slightly to uniform size.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and creaminess.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; adding more garlic powder or paprika can enhance the spice profile.
- If the rice is not fully tender at the end of cooking, add a splash of chicken broth and continue cooking covered until done.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
