The Ultimate One-Pan Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice
Imagine a dish that combines the comfort of home cooking with the bold, sophisticated flavors of a high-end bistro—all prepared in a single pan. This Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice is the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas. It features golden-brown, tender chicken medallions nestled in a luxurious, parmesan-infused garlic sauce, served over perfectly fluffy rice that has absorbed every drop of savory goodness.
What makes this dish truly irresistible is the one-pan cooking method. By simmering the rice directly in the pan with the chicken and aromatics, the grains transform into a flavor-packed foundation rather than just a side dish. It is rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying, providing a warm hug in a bowl that your family will request week after week.
The Ingredients: Why Every Component Matters
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: When cut into medallions and seared, it provides a lean, tender protein that absorbs the creamy sauce perfectly.
- Long-Grain White Rice: Chosen for its ability to stay fluffy and distinct, acting as a textural sponge for the chicken stock and cream.
- Fresh Garlic: A generous amount of minced garlic is the heart of this dish, providing the aromatic base that defines the flavor.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to the velvety, indulgent sauce and a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: Adds a sharp, salty finish and a complex, savory depth that melts perfectly into the sauce.
- Chicken Bone Broth: Adds a richness and nutritional boost, ensuring the rice is seasoned from the inside out.
- Fresh Parsley: A final garnish to provide a pop of color and a bright, herbaceous finish.
- Butter and Olive Oil: The perfect duo to allow a higher smoke point for searing while adding buttery richness.
Step-by-Step Culinary Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Season medallions with salt and pepper. In a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat olive oil and sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust forms. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in the same pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant without browning.
- Toast the Rice: Stir in the uncooked rice, tossing in garlic butter for 2 minutes to develop a nutty flavor and help grains stay separate.
- Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. Cover tightly and simmer for 15–18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- The Creamy Transformation: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until you achieve a glossy, creamy sauce.
- Combine and Finish: Return the chicken to the skillet. Cover for 2-3 minutes to heat through. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Perfecting Your Meal
Don’t Peek: Keep the lid on while the rice simmers! This preserves the steam necessary for perfectly cooked grains.
Deglaze the Pan: When adding broth, scrape up the browned bits (fond) from the bottom. This is where the deepest flavor lives.
Resting Time: Let the dish sit for 5 minutes after cooking to allow the garlic cream sauce to thicken to perfection.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy chicken and rice is a complete meal, but it pairs beautifully with roasted asparagus or a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette. Don’t forget a side of crusty sourdough bread to mop up every drop of that incredible sauce!
Would you like me to generate a printable grocery list or suggest a low-carb vegetable substitution for the rice?