If you’re craving a comforting, all-in-one meal that brings creamy indulgence and hearty satisfaction, look no further than this Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of tender chicken, luscious cream, and fluffy rice all cooked together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze and flavors deeply melded. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend feast, this dish promises to fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your heart with pure joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe relies on a handful of simple but essential ingredients, each thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor, texture, and color. From the fragrant spices to the rich Parmesan, every element plays a crucial role in turning everyday pantry staples into a soul-warming meal.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces, they provide tender, juicy protein as the dish’s heart.
- Sweet paprika: Adds a subtle smoky sweetness that brightens the chicken’s flavor beautifully.
- Garlic powder: Enhances depth with its warm, savory notes without overpowering.
- Onion powder: Brings mild onion sweetness that blends smoothly with fresh onions.
- Unsalted butter: Used to sauté and build richness right from the start.
- Large onion: Chopped for texture and a slightly sweet base.
- Fresh garlic: Minced to release aromatic punches that elevate every bite.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend that adds herbaceous warmth.
- Long-grain white rice: Rinsed to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy, separate grains.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: The cooking liquid that infuses the rice and chicken with savory depth.
- Salt and pepper: To taste, they bring balance and seasoning to the entire dish.
- Heavy cream: The ingredient that makes this skillet irresistibly creamy and decadent.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty finish and helps thicken the sauce perfectly.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped for a bright, fresh garnish that contrasts the creamy richness.
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Season Your Chicken
Begin by tossing the bite-sized chicken pieces with sweet paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This simple seasoning mix makes every piece flavorful before it even hits the pan, setting the foundation for the savory goodness to come.
Step 2: Sauté Your Aromatics
In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and let it cook until soft and translucent — this step brings out its natural sweetness. Then toss in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute or two until it’s beautifully fragrant, waking up all your senses.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Now it’s time to add your seasoned chicken to the skillet. Cook it until it’s no longer pink, ensuring it’s juicy and browned slightly on the outside. This step locks in flavor and creates a wonderful texture contrast within the skillet.
Step 4: Combine Rice and Broth
Stir in the Italian seasoning, rinsed rice, and chicken broth to the skillet. Season everything with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes without stirring. This careful cooking allows the rice to absorb all the savory broth, puffing up tender and fluffy.
Step 5: Add the Cream and Cheese
Once the rice is perfectly cooked, stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for just a few minutes so the rice soaks up that luxurious creaminess. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to get the flavor exactly how you love it.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish your Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley all over. This bright touch adds color and a wonderful fresh note that beautifully offsets the rich, cheesy base. Serve it up immediately and watch the smiles form at the table.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley is the most classic garnish here, offering a pop of green and a burst of vitality. For an extra special touch, you can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a little zing and heat.
Side Dishes
This dish is wonderfully filling on its own, but if you’re looking to round out the meal, think light and fresh. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some steamed broccoli can bring a fresh crunch and balance the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming presentation, serve individual portions in small cast iron skillets or pretty bowls, each garnished with parsley and a little extra Parmesan. If you want to make it fun and family-style, place the whole skillet at the center of the table and watch everyone dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, but the creamy texture remains inviting and delicious with just a quick reheat.
Freezing
This dish can be frozen, though the texture might change slightly because of the cream. To freeze, transfer portions into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. It will keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. To refresh the creamy texture, add a splash of chicken broth or cream and stir occasionally until warm and silky. This brings the skillet back to that fresh-from-the-pan magic.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Brown rice has a longer cooking time and may not get as creamy as white rice in this skillet recipe. If you want to use brown rice, pre-cook it separately before adding it toward the end to avoid undercooking or texture issues.
Is there a lighter alternative to heavy cream?
You can substitute half-and-half or whole milk to lighten the dish, but keep in mind the sauce won’t be quite as rich or thick. Adding a little extra Parmesan can help boost the flavor if you reduce the creaminess.
Can this recipe be made dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use dairy-free butter and substitute coconut cream or a creamy plant-based alternative instead of heavy cream. Nutritional yeast can replace the Parmesan to keep that cheesy taste dairy-free.
What’s the best way to get the rice fluffy and not sticky?
Rinsing the rice under cold water before cooking removes excess starch that causes clumping. Also, avoid stirring the rice while it simmers, which helps the grains cook evenly and stay fluffy.
Can I add vegetables to this skillet?
Yes, you can toss in veggies like peas, spinach, or diced bell peppers. Add them according to their cooking times – tender greens at the end, and firmer veggies earlier – so they stay vibrant and crisp without watering down the creaminess.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe quickly won a permanent spot in my meal rotation because it combines simplicity with unforgettable flavor and comfort. I promise once you try it, you’ll be reaching for it again and again whether for a cozy family dinner or an impressive but effortless guest dish. Grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and enjoy this creamy, dreamy feast with those you love!
Print
Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4.4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This creamy chicken and rice recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken with aromatic spices and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. Cooked together in one skillet, this comforting and easy-to-make dish yields a flavorful, hearty meal perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Base and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Rice and Liquids
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (such as Jasmine), rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with sweet paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well to evenly coat the chicken with the spices. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the chicken: Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add rice and broth: Stir in the Italian seasoning, rinsed rice, and low-sodium chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Do not stir during this time to allow the rice to cook properly.
- Finish with cream and cheese: Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently, until the rice absorbs most of the cream and the sauce becomes creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a bright, fresh finish. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice helps remove excess starch for fluffier grains.
- Do not stir the rice while it simmers to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of broth or cream.
