One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice

Savory chicken and fluffy rice, enveloped in a blanket of rich, creamy parmesan sauce, One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice is the epitome of weeknight dinner perfection, a dish that delivers maximum flavour with minimal effort and cleanup. This is not just a basic chicken and rice recipe; it’s a culinary shortcut to comfort, where perfectly cooked chicken and rice mingle in a luscious parmesan cream sauce, all in a single pan, creating a meal that is both incredibly convenient to prepare and profoundly satisfying to devour. Imagine the delightful aroma of parmesan and herbs filling your kitchen, the creamy sauce bubbling gently around tender chicken and fluffy rice, and the first spoonful delivering a perfect harmony of savory chicken, creamy rice, and rich, cheesy flavour, promising a culinary experience that is both quick to create and utterly enjoyable to share any night of the week. This recipe is your secret weapon for stress-free dinners, bringing the comforting taste of One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice to your table, ready to impress with its ease, flavour, and minimal cleanup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

One-Pan Meal Convenience

Embrace the sheer ease of One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice. Cooking everything in a single pan minimizes cleanup and simplifies the entire cooking process, making this recipe a dream for busy weeknights and anyone who appreciates efficiency in the kitchen. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying homemade meal without the hassle of multiple pots and pans, offering a truly convenient and streamlined cooking experience.

Rich and Indulgent Creamy Texture

Savour the luxuriously creamy texture of One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice, a dish that is defined by its velvety sauce and comforting mouthfeel. The parmesan cream sauce coats every grain of rice and piece of chicken, creating a rich and decadent experience that is both satisfying and utterly delightful. Indulge in the creamy goodness that elevates this simple dish to a truly special and comforting meal.

Effortless Weeknight Cooking Hero

Celebrate the weeknight-friendly nature of One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice, a recipe designed for speed and simplicity without compromising on flavour. Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish, this dish is the perfect solution for busy evenings when you crave a delicious homemade meal but are short on time. Enjoy a flavorful and satisfying dinner on the table in minutes, making it a true weeknight cooking champion.

Crowd-Pleasing Family Favorite

Delight your entire family with the universally loved flavours of One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice, a dish that appeals to all ages and palates. The combination of chicken, rice, and creamy parmesan sauce is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, making it a perfect choice for family dinners and gatherings. Enjoy a meal that everyone at the table will happily devour, ensuring satisfied smiles and empty plates all around, offering a truly family-friendly and crowd-pleasing dish.

Adaptable to Pantry Staples and Preferences

Appreciate the flexibility of One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice, easily adaptable to your pantry staples and personal flavour preferences. Customize the seasonings, vegetables, and even the type of cheese to create a dish that is uniquely yours and perfectly suits your family’s tastes. Enjoy the freedom to experiment and create your own signature version of this comforting classic, offering endless possibilities for flavour variations and personalized culinary touches.

Ingredients:

For the Tender and Flavorful Chicken

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes. Chicken breast is the lean protein base, cooking quickly and becoming tender in this one-pan dish. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are convenient and readily available. Ensure to use halal certified chicken. Cubing the chicken ensures even and fast cooking.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin. Olive oil is used for searing the chicken, adding richness and flavour and preventing sticking to the pan. Extra virgin olive oil provides the best flavour and aroma.
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme. Italian seasoning adds a classic herbaceous flavour profile that complements the chicken and parmesan. Use a good quality Italian seasoning mix for optimal flavour.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder, enhances the savory flavour of the chicken, adding a pungent and aromatic note. Garlic powder is a convenient way to add garlic flavour evenly to the chicken.
• ½ teaspoon salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Salt is essential for seasoning the chicken, enhancing all the flavours and preventing a bland taste. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavour and even seasoning. Adjust to taste.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground. Black pepper adds a touch of subtle spice and complexity, complementing the other seasonings and enhancing the overall flavour profile. Freshly ground black pepper is preferred for its more robust flavour.

For the Creamy and Cheesy Rice

• 1 large onion, yellow or white, finely diced. Onion forms the aromatic base for the rice, adding a savory sweetness and depth of flavour to the dish. Finely diced onion cooks down evenly in the one-pan method.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced finely. Garlic enhances the savory flavour of the rice, adding a pungent and aromatic note that complements the parmesan and chicken. Freshly minced garlic is crucial for the best flavour. Mince finely to release its aroma and flavour fully.
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked. Long-grain white rice is the classic choice for this dish, providing a fluffy texture and absorbing the creamy parmesan sauce beautifully. Long-grain white rice cooks evenly in the one-pan method.
• 2.5 cups chicken broth, low sodium. Chicken broth is the cooking liquid for the rice, adding moisture and flavour and creating a light sauce base. Low sodium chicken broth allows for better control over the overall salt level.
• ½ cup heavy cream. Heavy cream is essential for the creamy parmesan sauce, providing richness, thickness, and a luxurious texture. Heavy cream is key to achieving a truly decadent and creamy rice dish.
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated. Parmesan cheese is the star of the creamy parmesan rice, adding a salty, nutty, and umami-rich flavour that is both comforting and sophisticated. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese offers the best flavour and melting quality. Use good quality Parmesan cheese for the best results.
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional). Fresh parsley adds a pop of colour and a fresh, herbaceous note to the finished dish, enhancing its visual appeal and flavour. Fresh parsley provides a bright and fresh garnish.

How to Make One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice ?

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Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Heat olive oil in a large skillet until shimmering and ready for searing chicken. Ensure the skillet is oven-safe if you plan to broil the dish later for a golden crust.

Add chicken cubes to the hot skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Add chicken cubes to the skillet in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can steam chicken instead of searing it.

Season chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Season chicken generously with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper while searing.

Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown on all sides, but not fully cooked through. Sear chicken until golden brown on all sides to develop flavour and lock in juices, chicken will finish cooking in the rice mixture.

Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate. Remove seared chicken from skillet and set aside while preparing the rice and sauce.

Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic

In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened and translucent, releasing its aroma and sweetness.

Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook briefly until fragrant, being careful not to burn, which can make it bitter.

Step 3: Add Rice and Broth

Add uncooked rice to the skillet with the onion and garlic and stir to toast for 1 minute. Add uncooked rice to the skillet and stir to toast briefly, enhancing its flavour and texture.

Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil, deglazing the pan and incorporating flavourful browned bits into the rice.

Reduce heat to low, cover skillet tightly with a lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until rice is cooked through and liquid is absorbed. Reduce heat to low, cover skillet tightly, and simmer until rice is cooked through and has absorbed most of the liquid. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on rice type and skillet heat.

Step 4: Stir in Cream and Parmesan

Remove skillet from heat and stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy. Remove skillet from heat and stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the rice, creating a creamy sauce.

Add seared chicken back to the skillet and stir gently to combine. Add seared chicken back to the skillet and stir gently to combine with the creamy parmesan rice.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Garnish One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice with fresh parsley, if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of colour and fresh herb flavour.

Serve immediately, while hot and creamy. Serve hot for the best flavour and creamy texture.

Enjoy each savory, cheesy, and comforting bite.

Tips for Variations

Vegetable Medley Rice Boost

Add vegetables like frozen peas, chopped broccoli florets, or sliced mushrooms to the skillet along with the rice for a more nutritious and colourful dish. Adding vegetables increases the nutritional value and adds textural complexity to the dish.

Spicy Red Pepper Flake Kick

Add red pepper flakes to the skillet while sautéing the onion and garlic for a touch of heat. Red pepper flakes add a subtle spicy kick to the dish, adjusting to your preferred spice level.

Lemon Zest and Herb Freshness

Add lemon zest and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the rice mixture during simmering for a brighter and more aromatic flavour profile. Lemon zest and fresh herbs add a citrusy freshness and herbaceous complexity to the dish.

Different Cheese Blend Indulgence

Substitute some of the Parmesan cheese with other cheeses like Gruyere, mozzarella, or cheddar for a different flavour profile and cheesy texture. Experimenting with different cheeses allows for customization and unique flavour combinations.

Crispy Topping for Texture Contrast

Broil the finished One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice in the oven for a few minutes to create a golden brown and slightly crispy topping. Broiling adds a textural contrast and visual appeal to the creamy dish.

Serving Suggestions

Steamed Asparagus or Green Beans Simple Side

Serve One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice with steamed asparagus spears or green beans for a light and healthy vegetable side dish. Steamed vegetables provide a balanced and nutritious side that complements the richness of the main dish.

Side Salad with Italian Dressing Freshness

Accompany One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice with a crisp side salad with a light Italian vinaigrette dressing for a refreshing and balanced meal. Side salad provides a refreshing and light counterpoint to the creamy and rich main dish.

Garlic Bread or Breadsticks Warmth

Pair One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice with warm garlic bread or breadsticks for soaking up the creamy sauce and adding a comforting carbohydrate side. Garlic bread or breadsticks are perfect for mopping up the flavorful sauce and adding extra garlic flavour.

Roasted Bell Peppers or Zucchini Colorful Veggies

Serve One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice alongside roasted bell peppers or zucchini for a colourful and flavourful vegetable side dish. Roasted vegetables add vibrant colours and a slightly sweet and caramelized flavour that complements the dish.

Light Fruit Salad or Berries Dessert

Finish your meal with a light fruit salad or fresh berries after enjoying One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice for a refreshing and palate-cleansing dessert. Fruit provides a light and refreshing finish to the meal, balancing the richness of the main course.

FAQ

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Brown rice can be used, but it will require more liquid and a longer cooking time. Brown rice takes longer to cook and absorbs more liquid than white rice. Adjust broth quantity and cooking time accordingly.

How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan?

Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven and ensure the heat is low while simmering. Avoid lifting the lid and stirring frequently during simmering to prevent steam from escaping and rice from drying out and sticking. Proper cookware and low, consistent heat are key to preventing sticking.

Can I add cheese other than Parmesan?

Yes, you can experiment with other cheeses like mozzarella, Gruyere, or cheddar in addition to or instead of Parmesan cheese. Different cheeses will impart unique flavour profiles and textures to the creamy sauce.

How long does One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice stay fresh?

Leftover One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or skillet. Reheat leftovers thoroughly to ensure food safety and best texture.

Can I freeze One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice?

Freezing One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice is not recommended as the creamy sauce may separate and the rice texture may change upon thawing. Freezing may affect the texture and quality of both the rice and the sauce. It is best enjoyed fresh or as leftovers within a few days.

Paragraph after FAQ section: Utterly convenient, wonderfully creamy, and remarkably flavourful, One Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice is a culinary gem that brings the comforting taste of classic Italian-inspired cuisine to your home kitchen with delightful simplicity. Its minimal cleanup, customizable flavour profile, and crowd-pleasing nature make it a perfect choice for busy weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or anyone seeking a truly satisfying and flavourful meal without the fuss. Embrace the ease of one-pan cooking and savor the irresistible combination of tender chicken and creamy parmesan rice, bringing smiles and comfort food bliss to every plate.

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