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One Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice

creamy garlic parmesan chicken and rice - featured image
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This one pot creamy garlic parmesan chicken and rice is a comforting, cheesy, and garlicky dinner that comes together easily in about 40 minutes. Juicy chicken thighs, tender rice, and a luscious parmesan cream sauce make it a family favorite with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried oregano/basil blend)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long grain white rice (jasmine or basmati; avoid instant rice)
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let sit while prepping veggies.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs in a single layer and brown for 3-4 minutes per side until golden (do not cook through). Remove chicken to a plate.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the pan. Once melted, add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Stir in rice and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly translucent.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Return browned chicken and any juices to the pot, nestling into the rice. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-22 minutes until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Add more broth if rice is still crunchy.
  7. Remove chicken to a plate and keep warm. Stir heavy cream and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese into the rice until creamy and combined. Adjust salt to taste.
  8. Return chicken to the pot on top of the rice. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup parmesan over everything. Cover and let stand off heat for 2-3 minutes to melt cheese and meld flavors.
  9. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges. Scoop rice onto plates, top with chicken, and extra sauce if desired.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated parmesan and long grain white rice. If using brown rice, increase broth to 3 1/2 cups and simmer for 35-40 minutes. Add extra veggies like spinach or peas for a nutrition boost. To make dairy-free, use coconut cream and dairy-free parmesan. Always check rice for doneness and add more broth if needed. Letting the dish rest off heat helps achieve the perfect creamy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: one pot, creamy chicken, parmesan, garlic, chicken and rice, easy dinner, skillet meal, comfort food, weeknight dinner, family meal

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