Description

Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is a hearty, one-pan dinner with seared chicken simmered in a garlic-herb cream sauce, served over fluffy long-grain rice. It’s cozy, comforting, and perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:
2 lbs chicken thighs or chicken breasts
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
2 tbsp olive oil
For the Sauce:
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (optional)
For the Rice:
1½ cups long-grain white rice
3 cups water or chicken broth

Instructions

Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Sear chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes per side. Set aside.
Melt butter in the same skillet. Sauté diced onion for 3 minutes, add garlic, and cook 30 seconds.
Deglaze with chicken broth, then add cream, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
Stir in cornstarch slurry if a thicker sauce is desired.
Rinse rice and cook in separate pot with water or broth. Simmer 15 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes, then fluff.
Return chicken to sauce. Simmer covered for 10–15 minutes until fully cooked.
Serve chicken over rice and pour sauce on top. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

Add red pepper flakes for heat. Use bone-in chicken for more flavor. Swap in brown rice if preferred, but increase cooking time. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze chicken and sauce separately for best results.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 550
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 40g

Keywords: Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice, one-pan chicken recipe, southern comfort food