Description
Southern comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty Smothered Chicken and Rice dish, where tender chicken nestles into a rich, creamy sauce over fluffy rice. Savory seasonings and love infuse each bite, promising a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 lb chicken thighs
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 large onion
- 2 bell peppers
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Grains and Liquids:
- 2 cups white rice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and season chicken breasts and thighs with paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper, ensuring thorough coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the seasoned chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside, then add butter to the same pan and sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant.
- Stir white rice into the vegetable mixture, coating the grains with the aromatic oils and allowing them to lightly toast for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine and create a creamy base for the rice.
- Nestle the seared chicken pieces back into the skillet, ensuring they are partially submerged in the liquid.
- Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Prevent dry chicken by using a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F without overcooking.
- Customize flavor profiles by experimenting with different herbs like rosemary or oregano instead of thyme for varied taste experiences.
- Make dish gluten-free by confirming chicken broth is certified gluten-free and using alternative rice varieties like basmati or brown rice.
- Reduce calorie content by substituting heavy cream with low-fat Greek yogurt or unsweetened coconut milk for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg