Description
Smothered chicken and rice brings pure Southern comfort straight to your dinner table, packed with rich, hearty flavors that make family meals feel special. Tender chicken nestled in a silky sauce over fluffy rice creates a delicious one-pot wonder that disappears fast from hungry plates.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Cooking Components:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Mix 1 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Massage the seasoning blend thoroughly onto your 4 chicken breasts, ensuring complete coverage.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same skillet. Sauté the finely chopped small onion for 3 minutes until translucent.
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon each of thyme, oregano, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Pour 2 cups chicken broth into the skillet, scraping pan bottom to release browned bits.
- Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese. Simmer sauce for 2 minutes until smooth.
- Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Mix into sauce to thicken.
- Add 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice and 2 ½ cups chicken broth directly into the skillet. Stir thoroughly.
- Nestle seared chicken breasts into the rice mixture. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice becomes tender and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Mix in 1 cup sliced mushrooms and ½ cup frozen peas during last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Remove from heat and let dish rest for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently before serving.
Notes
- Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Consider using bone-in chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tender meat if breasts seem dry.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting cornstarch with arrowroot powder or using gluten-free flour for thickening.
- Use long-grain white rice like basmati or jasmine for best texture and prevent rice from becoming mushy during cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 33-38 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg