Go Back

Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice

A warm and comforting dish featuring juicy chicken and rice enveloped in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • to taste Salt and pepper for seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing chicken
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup arborio rice (or any long-grain rice)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1 cup heavy cream for the creamy sauce
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese adds flavor and creaminess
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
  • for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce the heat and sauté the diced onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes), then add minced garlic and stir for 1 minute.
  4. Stir in the arborio rice, cooking for 1-2 minutes until slightly toasted.
Cooking
  1. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer.
  2. Nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet, sprinkle with Italian herbs, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
  3. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serving
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

For lighter options, substitute heavy cream with low-fat milk or a dairy-free alternative. Monitor rice cooking times closely and avoid burning garlic when sautéing. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.