Description
Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is a comforting and flavorful dish where tender chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy, rich sauce and served over a bed of fluffy rice. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner, combining savory chicken with a luscious cream sauce that’s sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups water or additional chicken broth (for the rice)
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Cook the Chicken:
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, thyme, and paprika on both sides.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
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Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in the heavy cream and sour cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
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Prepare the Rice:
- While the sauce simmers, cook the rice in a separate pot. Combine the rice with 2 cups of water or chicken broth, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
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Combine:
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken and simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the creamy chicken over the cooked rice, spooning extra sauce over the top.
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Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- You can add vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or peas to the creamy sauce for extra flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a little cornstarch with water and add it to the sauce to thicken it.
- You can substitute the sour cream with cream cheese for a richer, tangier flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing and simmering
- Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Keywords: Smothered Chicken, Creamy Chicken, Chicken and Rice, Comfort Food, One-Pan Meal, Cream Sauce, Easy Dinner, Family Dinner