Description
Whip up an Easy Homemade Creamy Garlic Chicken Rice Dinner tonight! This comforting, one-pan meal is packed with flavor and simple to make for any weeknight.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (like jasmine or basmati)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced (or more, I won’t judge!)
- Seasonings & Spices:
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Finishing Touches:
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Prep Your Chicken and Aromatics:: First things first, pat those chicken thighs dry and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Season ’em generously with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a dash of smoked paprika. While that’s happening, get your onion and garlic chopped. I always feel like a real chef when I’m doing this, and the smell of fresh garlic hitting the cutting board? Oh, it’s the start of something good. This is where I sometimes get distracted and almost forget to season the chicken, oops!
- Sear the Chicken:: Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat with a little olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, add your chicken pieces in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or it won’t get that lovely sear! Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. We’re not cooking it all the way through, just getting some color and flavor locked in. I once tried to rush this step, and my chicken ended up steamed, not seared. Big mistake!
- Sauté the Aromatics:: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the pan. Once melted, toss in your chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and dried thyme. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant. Oh, that smell! It’s truly intoxicating. This is the stage where your kitchen starts smelling absolutely divine, a true sign that good food is coming.
- Add Rice and Broth:: Now, stir in your long-grain white rice, making sure it’s coated in all those delicious pan drippings and aromatics. Pour in the chicken broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s flavor gold! Bring it to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed. Resist the urge to peek too much!
- Stir in Cream and Chicken:: Once the rice is cooked, take the skillet off the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and return the seared chicken pieces to the pan. Give it a good stir to combine everything. The cream will start to thicken slightly, coating every grain of rice and every piece of chicken. This is where the Easy Homemade Creamy Garlic Chicken Rice Dinner really comes together, looking so rich and inviting. Sometimes I’ll add a little extra cream, just for good measure.
- Finish and Serve Your Easy Homemade Creamy Garlic Chicken Rice Dinner:: Taste and adjust for seasoning – you might need a little more salt or pepper. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese. Let it sit for a minute or two, uncovered, to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken just a touch more. The final dish should be wonderfully creamy, garlicky, and utterly satisfying. Serve it up hot and watch it disappear!