Description
This creamy, cheesy chicken and rice recipe is comfort food at its finest. Tender chicken pieces and fluffy rice are cooked together in a rich, savory broth and topped with melted cheese for a complete one-pan meal that the whole family will love. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need something satisfying and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Set aside while you prep the other ingredients.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and foaming, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes without moving them to get a nice golden sear on one side. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked through at this point—it will finish cooking with the rice.
- Add the Rice: Sprinkle the uncooked rice over the chicken, stirring to coat the rice with the pan drippings. Let it toast for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally. This step adds extra flavor to the rice.
- Add Liquid and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—that’s pure flavor! If using heavy cream, stir it in now.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Simmer for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid (this traps the steam needed to cook the rice properly).
- Check for Doneness: After 20 minutes, check if the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. If it’s still a bit firm or there’s too much liquid, cover and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle 1½ cups of cheddar cheese and all of the mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover again and let it sit for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts beautifully.
- Final Touch: If you want an extra golden, bubbly top, place the uncovered skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar on top and let it melt from the residual heat.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows everything to set up slightly and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Rice Ratio: The standard ratio is 1 part rice to 2 parts liquid. If your rice seems undercooked after the initial cooking time, add ¼ cup more broth and continue cooking covered for a few more minutes.
- Chicken Size: Cut chicken into uniform pieces so everything cooks at the same rate. Smaller pieces cook faster and distribute better throughout the rice.
- Cheese Options: Mix and match cheeses based on what you have. Pepper Jack adds a spicy kick, while Gruyere makes it more sophisticated.
- Making it Lighter: Use milk instead of cream, reduce cheese to 2 cups total, or use part-skim mozzarella.
- Vegetable Additions: Frozen peas, diced bell peppers, broccoli florets, or spinach can be stirred in during the last 5 minutes of cooking for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 685mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg