Description
Comforting one-pan creamy parmesan chicken & rice delivers Italian-inspired magic to dinner tables with minimal cleanup. Rich flavors mingle effortlessly, offering cooks a simple yet elegant meal packed with cheesy goodness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Grains and Liquid Base:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, ensuring even seasoning across the entire surface.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling cooking environment.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer beautifully browned chicken to a temporary plate, keeping it warm and ready for later incorporation.
- In the same skillet with residual oil and flavorful browned bits, introduce finely diced onions and minced garlic.
- Sauté aromatics until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Add uncooked rice directly into the skillet, stirring frequently to toast the grains and develop a nutty, complex flavor profile.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, gently stirring to combine and create a smooth, unified liquid base.
- Allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer, creating the perfect cooking environment for rice and chicken.
- Carefully nestle the previously seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, ensuring they are partially submerged in the creamy liquid.
- Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, reducing heat to low for even, gentle cooking.
- Simmer the dish for 20-25 minutes, allowing rice to absorb liquid and become tender while chicken cooks thoroughly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the surface, stirring until completely melted and integrated into a luxurious, creamy sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, fresh finish before serving hot directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Opt for thin chicken breasts to ensure even, quick cooking and prevent dryness.
- Toast rice carefully to enhance nutty flavors without burning, watching heat closely.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum melting and rich, authentic taste.
- Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg