Description
A comforting and delicious one-pot meal, this Smothered Chicken and Rice recipe features tender chicken thighs nestled in creamy rice, flavored with aromatic herbs and melted cheddar cheese. A Southern American classic that is easy to make and perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Rice:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Sear the chicken: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter. Sear the chicken thighs until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté onion and garlic: In the same pan, sauté onion until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Cook rice: Add rice, chicken broth, cream, thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer.
- Add chicken: Nestle the chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture. Cover and cook until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Melt cheese: Sprinkle cheddar over the top and cover until melted. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider using a mix of white and dark meat or adding mushrooms to the rice.
- This dish pairs well with green beans or a simple salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with rice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
