Description
This Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is a comforting one-pan dinner featuring tender, seasoned chicken thighs simmered in a creamy sauce with fluffy rice. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Rice and Liquids
- 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
Dairy and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken thighs evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the diced onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they become soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in the rinsed rice, then pour in the chicken broth and whole milk. Sprinkle in the dried thyme. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer to allow the rice to begin absorbing the flavors.
- Simmer with Chicken: Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, covering the rice mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: Remove the lid and stir in the sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese, blending until you get a creamy, smooth sauce coating the chicken and rice.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest off the heat for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley if you like before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- For extra creaminess, add 1/4 cup more sour cream or swap whole milk for heavy cream.
- Using brown rice is possible but will require longer cooking time and possibly more liquid.
- If parsley is unavailable, fresh chives or basil make great alternatives for garnish.
- This dish is nut-free but not gluten-free unless gluten-free broth is used.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
