One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice
A comforting, delicious, and incredibly easy one-pan meal combining tender chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked rice for a quick and flavorful dinner.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside temporarily.
- Sauté Garlic and Toast Rice: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the rice and toast it in the butter and oil for 1-2 minutes to enhance nuttiness and flavor.
- Add Broth and Return Chicken: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, spacing them evenly. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes until the rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Stir in Cream and Parmesan: Remove the lid and pour in the heavy cream along with the grated Parmesan cheese. Gently stir to combine and thicken the sauce slightly. Cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and coats the chicken and rice evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or thyme over the dish for brightness and color. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting warmth of the creamy Parmesan chicken and rice.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before searing to ensure a nice crust and prevent steaming.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer flavor and better melting.
- Don’t skip toasting the rice as it adds important texture and flavor depth.
- Cover the pan tightly while simmering to steam rice evenly.
- Allow the dish to rest off heat for a few minutes before serving to thicken the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: One-pan, Creamy Parmesan Chicken, Chicken and Rice, Weeknight Dinner, Easy Chicken Recipe, Comfort Food