Creamy Chicken and Rice

Creamy Chicken and Rice Comfort Bowl 🍗🍚

Indulge in this velvety, rich, and cozy one-pot meal! Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a luscious Parmesan-cream sauce make this the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup long-grain white rice (like jasmine or basmati), rinsed

• 2½ cups chicken broth

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup frozen peas & carrots

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ¼ tsp paprika

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Sear the chicken:

   • Heat butter + olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

   • Season chicken with salt & pepper, then cook until golden (5–6 mins). Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté aromatics:

   • In the same pot, cook onion until soft (~3 mins). Add garlic and stir 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Toast the rice:

   • Add rice, stirring to coat in the buttery mixture, for 1–2 minutes.

4. Simmer & cream it up:

   • Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits.

   • Return chicken to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.

   • Cover and simmer 15–18 mins (until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed).

5. Add veggies & cheese:

   • Stir in peas & carrots, Parmesan, and paprika. Cover and let sit 5 mins to warm veggies.

   • Adjust seasoning, then garnish with fresh parsley.

Tips for Perfection

• Creamy hack: Swap ½ cup broth with cream cheese for extra richness.

• Chicken thighs work too—just cook a bit longer.

• No heavy cream? Use half-and-half or evaporated milk (reduce broth slightly).

• Crispy top? Broil 2–3 mins with extra Parmesan.

Serve with crusty bread for soaking up the sauce! 😋

Want to make it in a slow cooker or add mushrooms? Let me know!