Creamy Chicken and Rice – Velvety Comfort Bowl 🍗🍚
This rich and creamy one-pot dish is the ultimate comfort food—tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce with pops of veggies. Perfect for cozy nights in!
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
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2 tbsp butter
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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1 small onion, finely diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup long-grain white rice (or jasmine rice)
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2 ½ cups chicken broth
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1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter texture)
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1 cup frozen peas & carrots
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ tsp paprika (or smoked paprika for depth)
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2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1️⃣ Sear the Chicken:
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Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
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Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden (5-6 mins). Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté Aromatics:
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In the same pot, sauté onion until soft (3 mins). Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 secs).
3️⃣ Toast the Rice:
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Stir in rice and cook for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast (adds nutty flavor).
4️⃣ Simmer:
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Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits.
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Return chicken to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-18 mins (or until rice is tender).
5️⃣ Add Veggies & Cheese:
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Stir in frozen peas & carrots, Parmesan, and paprika. Cover and cook 3-4 more mins.
6️⃣ Finish & Serve:
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Garnish with fresh parsley. Taste and adjust salt/pepper if needed.
Tips for Success
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Creamy Texture: For extra richness, stir in an extra ¼ cup cream at the end.
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Rice Note: Avoid stirring too much while simmering to prevent mushiness.
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Variations:
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Add mushrooms with the onions.
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Swap peas/carrots for broccoli or spinach.
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Spice it up with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
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Serve with crusty bread or a simple green salad. Enjoy your cozy, creamy bowl! 😊