Creamy Parmesan One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
A comforting and creamy one-pot chicken rice recipe featuring tender chicken, fragrant rice, rich chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese all cooked together to create a deliciously creamy and flavorful meal with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Mick
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 2 ½ cups (600ml) chicken broth
- ¾ cup (75g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Prepare the ingredients. Start by rinsing the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, mince the garlic, and finely chop the onion.
- Sauté the aromatics and chicken. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add rice and broth. Stir in the rinsed rice, coating it with the oil and chicken mixture. Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a boil.
- Simmer the rice and chicken. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for about 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Stir in cream and Parmesan. Once the rice and chicken are ready, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese to create a creamy, luscious sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Let it rest and serve. Cover the pot again and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- You can add vegetables such as peas, mushrooms, or spinach during the simmering step for extra nutrition.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If rice absorbs too much liquid and the mixture becomes too thick, stir in a bit more chicken broth or water while reheating.
Keywords: one-pot chicken rice, creamy chicken rice, parmesan chicken rice, easy dinner recipe, stovetop chicken and rice