Description
A comforting and cheesy dish featuring seared chicken breasts in a silky cream sauce served over fluffy long-grain rice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or neutral oil like canola)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth (for cooking rice)
- ½ teaspoon salt (for the rice)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk (2% works in a pinch)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove to a plate and tent with foil.
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of chicken broth and ½ teaspoon salt to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, lower heat to medium and melt unsalted butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until slightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth until smooth. Stir in garlic powder and thyme. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over each piece, cover, and simmer on low for 8–10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 3 minutes.
- Spoon rice onto plates, top with chicken, and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a spicier twist, try peri-peri seasoning instead of smoked paprika. For a dairy-free version, substitute plant milk and nutritional yeast for cheese.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chicken, creamy, comfort food, weeknight dinner, family-friendly