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Easy Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe for the Best Cozy Dinner

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A simple, comforting, and creamy chicken and rice dish perfect for cozy dinners, made with pantry staples and ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (about 200 g)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth (480 ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 g), softened
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
  • Optional add-ins:
  • 1 cup frozen peas or chopped spinach (about 150 g)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients (5 minutes): Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Measure out rice, broth, cream, and cheese.
  2. Cook the Chicken (8-10 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a large deep skillet. Add chicken pieces, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown but not fully cooked through (about 4-5 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics (3-4 minutes): In the same pan, add chopped onion and garlic. Stir frequently until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add Rice and Toast (2 minutes): Stir in the rice and cook for about 2 minutes, coating grains with butter and toasting slightly.
  5. Add Liquids and Seasoning (1 minute): Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Simmer Covered (18-20 minutes): Return chicken to the pan, cover with lid, reduce heat to low, and cook until rice is tender and liquid mostly absorbed. Avoid lifting lid frequently.
  7. Add Optional Veggies (last 5 minutes): Stir in peas or spinach if using, to keep them fresh and bright.
  8. Finish and Rest (2 minutes): Remove pan from heat, add remaining tablespoon of butter, fluff rice gently with a fork, and let rest covered for a couple of minutes before serving.

Notes

If rice isn’t tender after cooking time, add a splash more broth or water, cover again, and cook a few extra minutes. Use long-grain white rice for best results. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier meat. Leftovers reheat well with added broth or cream to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken and rice, easy chicken dinner, cozy dinner recipe, one pot chicken and rice, creamy chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/easy-creamy-chicken-and-rice-recipe-for-the-best-cozy-dinner/