Description
A comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and served over fluffy rice cooked in chicken broth for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package instructions using chicken broth instead of water for extra flavor. Once cooked, set aside and keep warm.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
- Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream, stirring and scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Simmer for about 5 minutes to combine flavors.
- Serve by spooning rice onto plates and placing the creamy smothered chicken on top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- You can add vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, or peas for extra nutrition and color.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts for a juicier and richer flavor.
- Different cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan can be used for variation.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it.
- This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
