Description
Parmesan chicken & rice delivers comfort on a single skillet with minimal cleanup. Creamy textures and rich flavors combine effortlessly, ensuring you savor each delightful bite without complicated preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Cooking Base and Dairy:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet over medium heat, drizzling olive oil across the surface for even coating.
- Introduce chicken cubes into the skillet, generously seasoning with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, allowing them to develop a golden-brown exterior through careful sautéing.
- Incorporate minced garlic and let it release its aromatic essence for approximately 60 seconds, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Pour uncooked rice, chicken broth, and heavy cream into the skillet, creating a harmonious liquid mixture that will transform into a creamy base.
- Elevate heat momentarily to trigger a gentle boil, then immediately reduce temperature to low, covering the skillet to trap moisture and steam.
- Allow the mixture to simmer quietly for 18-20 minutes, monitoring rice tenderness and liquid absorption, ensuring a perfectly cooked consistency.
- Gently fold in Parmesan cheese and optional green peas, stirring until ingredients are thoroughly integrated and cheese melts smoothly.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning, adding salt or pepper as needed to enhance overall flavor profile.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the surface for a vibrant finishing touch, then serve piping hot directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Swap chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, rich texture of the original dish.
- Reduce heavy cream by half and replace with Greek yogurt to lower fat content while keeping the sauce luxuriously smooth.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber and a nuttier flavor profile, adjusting liquid and cooking time accordingly.
- Add a splash of white wine during garlic sautéing to enhance the depth of flavor and create a more complex taste experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 562 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg