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Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice

A white bowl filled with white rice topped with pieces of golden chicken covered in a thick, creamy sauce, garnished with parsley, ready for Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice.
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A simple recipe for making comforting, creamy smothered chicken served over fluffy white rice, suitable for a family meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs or chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water to thicken, if needed)
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 3 cups water or chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. Melt the butter in the same pan. Sauté the diced onions for about 3 minutes until soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the heavy cream, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. If you want a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch mixture.
  5. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
  6. In a separate pot, bring water or chicken broth to a boil. Add the rice, lower the heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff.
  7. Return the seared chicken to the pan with the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10–15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
  8. Spoon rice onto a plate, top with the smothered chicken, and pour extra sauce over it.

Notes

  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you want some heat.
  • Leftovers taste better the next day.
  • You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice, Smothered Chicken, Creamy Rice, Comfort Food, One Pot, Family Favorite

Find it online: https://www.meltitclean.com/creamy-smothered-chicken-and-rice-howto/