Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where comforting meals come together in one pot. This Creamy Chicken and Rice is a rich, hearty casserole featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a creamy cheese sauce infused with garlic and Italian herbs.

Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or anytime you crave an easy, satisfying dish.

This recipe is simple, made with pantry staples, and ready in about an hour with minimal hands-on time.

Why This Recipe Works

• Creamy sauce developed from a blend of butter, garlic, broth, and cheese
• Chicken thighs or breasts stay juicy when baked together with rice
• Uncooked rice soaks up flavorful liquid while baking
• Italian herbs add aromatic depth without overpowering
• One-dish meal with cheese melted on top for comfort flavor

Ingredients & Prep

• 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 2 cups long grain white rice, rinsed
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk or cream
• 1½ cups shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté garlic 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat.
3. Combine butter-garlic mixture with rice, broth, milk, seasoning, salt, and pepper in the casserole dish. Stir well.
4. Arrange chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture. Sprinkle cheese over the chicken and rice.
5. Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and chicken cooked through (165°F internal temp).
6. Let sit 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat covered in the microwave or oven with a splash of broth to retain creaminess. Freeze cooked casserole for up to 2 months.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice? Yes, but increase baking time and liquid by about 10-15 minutes and ½ cup, respectively.
Chicken breasts or thighs? Either works; thighs stay juicier and are more forgiving.
Make ahead? Assemble casserole and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Conclusion

Creamy Chicken and Rice casserole is a comforting, all-in-one meal that blends tender chicken, cheesy rice, and aromatic herbs for easy family dinners. Delicious, cheesy, and hassle-free. Find more cozy recipes at dishfoody.com.

Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe

Print Recipe

Creamy Chicken and Rice is a comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken thighs, fluffy rice, and a rich creamy sauce loaded with vegetables – perfect for cozy family dinners.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed

1 medium onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 medium carrots, sliced

2 celery stalks, sliced

8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt and black pepper to taste

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Optional: 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, thyme, paprika, and garlic powder. Brown chicken 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

2. In same pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms 5-6 minutes until softened. Add garlic, cook 1 minute.

3. Stir in rinsed rice, coating with vegetables. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Bring to simmer.

4. Nestle browned chicken back into pot, pressing into liquid. Cover, reduce heat to low, simmer 20-25 minutes until rice tender and liquid absorbed.

5. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and peas if using. Cook 3-4 minutes until creamy. Garnish with parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts.

Rinse rice to prevent gumminess.

Don’t lift lid during cooking for perfect rice texture.

Leftovers thicken – add splash of broth when reheating.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 140mg

Keywords: creamy chicken and rice, one pot chicken rice, comfort food chicken