Description
A comforting weeknight dinner featuring tender seared chicken in a creamy, cheesy sauce served over fluffy rice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5–2 lbs)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt (for the rice)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon thyme (dried)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken by patting the breasts dry and rubbing them with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden. Remove chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of chicken broth and ½ teaspoon of salt to a boil. Stir in 1 cup of rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Gradually whisk in 1½ cups of milk and ½ cup of chicken broth until smooth. Add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon of thyme. Cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in ½ cup of shredded cheddar and ½ cup of grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over it. Cover and simmer on low for 8–10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and is tender.
- Serve by spooning rice onto plates and topping with smothered chicken and extra sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For added flavor, cook the rice in broth and use fresh herbs for garnish. Use leftover rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chicken, creamy, rice, comfort food, weeknight dinner