Description

Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, cheesy cream sauce served over fluffy white rice. This one-pan stovetop meal combines smoky spices, a velvety homemade cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked rice for a satisfying dinner the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil

Rice

1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt

Creamy Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Season and Sear Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth and salt to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid has been fully absorbed. Fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.
Prepare the Creamy Cheese Sauce: Using the same skillet from the chicken, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it turns lightly golden, forming a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and create a smooth sauce. Stir in garlic powder, thyme, shredded cheddar cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking and stirring for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and the cheese melts completely.
Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the creamy cheese sauce over each piece. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to ensure the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
Serve and Garnish: Plate the cooked rice, then top with the smothered chicken and plenty of sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in the seasoning mix for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
Use low-fat milk or a milk alternative to reduce the fat content in the sauce.
Substitute white rice with brown rice for added fiber, but increase cooking time accordingly.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Make sure to whisk the sauce constantly when adding milk and broth to prevent lumps.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: creamy chicken and rice, smothered chicken recipe, cheesy chicken recipes, stovetop chicken dinner, easy chicken recipes