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Easy One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

one-pot creamy chicken and rice - featured image

A comforting and easy one-pot recipe featuring tender chicken breasts simmered with creamy, buttery rice for a perfect dinner. Ready in about 40 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (190 g)
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth (600 ml)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g) – optional
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: chop the onion finely, mince the garlic, and pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven. Add chicken breasts and brown each side until golden, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add chopped onion to the same pot. Stir often until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the rice, coating it well in the oil and onion mixture. Toast the rice for about 2 minutes.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine. Nestle the browned chicken breasts on top of the rice.
  6. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover tightly with a lid. Simmer undisturbed for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 75°C).
  7. Remove chicken and set aside briefly. Stir in heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese into the rice. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Return chicken on top to warm through.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

If rice isn’t tender after 20 minutes, add a splash of broth or water, cover, and cook an extra 3-5 minutes. Avoid stirring the rice while cooking to prevent it from becoming gluey. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt (added off heat). This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free broth. For dairy-free, use coconut milk instead of cream and omit Parmesan cheese. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts but adjust cooking time accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, creamy chicken and rice, easy dinner, comfort food, quick recipe, family meal, chicken breasts, creamy sauce