Description
This One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. Tender chicken thighs are cooked to perfection alongside creamy Parmesan rice, creating a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped (optional)
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic: In the same skillet, add diced onion and garlic; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add rice: Stir in the rinsed rice and cook for 1 minute to toast lightly.
- Add broth and cream: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer, then return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the rice mixture. Cover and reduce heat to low.
- Cook: Cook for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Finish: Stir in Parmesan cheese and chopped spinach (if using) until the spinach wilts and cheese melts. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for more flavor if preferred, but adjust cooking time.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.
- Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with rice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
