Description
Savory one-pan creamy parmesan chicken & rice delivers comfort straight from Italian kitchens, blending tender chicken with rich, cheesy rice. Home cooks can create this hearty meal with minimal cleanup, enjoying restaurant-quality flavors without complex preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Main Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients:
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a large skillet by heating olive oil over medium-high temperature, creating a perfect searing environment for the chicken.
- Season the chicken pieces with a blend of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, ensuring comprehensive flavor coverage.
- Carefully place the chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust through 5-7 minutes of cooking, guaranteeing complete doneness.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a temporary plate, keeping it warm and ready for later incorporation.
- Utilize the same skillet to sauté diced onions, allowing them to soften and become translucent within 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the onion mixture, letting its aromatic essence permeate the skillet for an additional minute.
- Gently fold uncooked rice into the onion-garlic base, ensuring each grain becomes coated with the flavorful foundation.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious liquid base for the rice to absorb.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent rice from sticking.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the simmering liquid, allowing it to melt and integrate smoothly.
- Carefully nestle the previously cooked chicken pieces atop the rice mixture.
- Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low, allowing the rice to steam and absorb flavors for 20-25 minutes.
- During the final 5 minutes of cooking, delicately fold chopped spinach into the dish if desired.
- Finish by garnishing with fresh parsley, adding a vibrant touch of color and herbaceous flavor before serving.
Notes
- Perfectly sear chicken by patting it dry before seasoning to achieve a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Control rice texture by using long-grain white rice, which prevents mushiness and ensures each grain remains separate and fluffy.
- Transform this dish into a gluten-free option by using gluten-free chicken broth and checking Parmesan cheese ingredients for potential gluten contamination.
- Boost nutrition by experimenting with alternative greens like kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach, adding extra vitamins and varied taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg