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Easy One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

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A quick and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts and creamy rice, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe combines simple ingredients with a rich, velvety sauce for a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 450 g), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (190 g)
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth (600 ml), low-sodium preferred
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, 25 g)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add chicken pieces and cook until they turn white and start to brown slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Chicken does not need to be fully cooked.
  4. Stir in rice, dried thyme, and lemon zest. Toast rice for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and stir once to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Simmer for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  6. Remove lid and gently stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese if using. Cook uncovered on low heat for 2-3 minutes until sauce is creamy.
  7. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Turn off heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not lift the lid during simmering to ensure rice cooks evenly. Toasting the rice before adding broth prevents mushiness. If rice is too firm after cooking, add a splash of broth or water, cover, and let steam off heat for a few minutes. For dairy-free options, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. Brown rice can be used but requires longer cooking time and more broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, creamy chicken, chicken and rice, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/easy-one-pot-creamy-chicken-and-rice-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-dinners/