Hearty Smothered Chicken And Rice Recipe

Cozy Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe for Comfort

Comfort settles in like a warm embrace with this smothered chicken and rice that promises pure culinary bliss.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated these soul-satisfying meals.

Rich, creamy sauce cascades over perfectly seasoned chicken, creating a symphony of flavors.

Tender chicken pieces nestle into fluffy rice, delivering every bite with mouthwatering goodness.

Each forkful tells a story of slow-cooked love and traditional cooking techniques.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the table, eager to savor this classic Southern dish.

Prepare to experience a dinner that transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable feast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice

For Base Ingredients:
  • Rice: Provides hearty foundation for the dish, choose long-grain white rice for best texture.
  • Chicken Broth: Enhances depth of flavor and helps cook rice perfectly, select low-sodium for better control.
For Protein and Seasoning:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein centerpiece, select fresh, uniform-sized breasts for even cooking.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds warm, aromatic undertone to chicken's seasoning profile.
  • Paprika: Introduces subtle smokiness and beautiful golden color to chicken.
  • Salt: Essential flavor enhancer, balances and amplifies other seasonings.
  • Black Pepper: Delivers gentle heat and complexity to overall dish.
For Sauce and Finishing Touches:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Creates rich, golden searing environment for chicken, adds luxurious flavor.
  • Onion, Garlic: Builds foundational aromatic base, provides depth and complexity.
  • Heavy Cream: Generates silky, luxurious sauce texture, creates indulgent mouthfeel.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Introduces nutty, salty dimension, melts smoothly into sauce.
  • Italian Seasoning: Brings herbal Mediterranean notes, unifies sauce components.
  • Fresh Parsley: Offers bright, fresh finishing garnish with vibrant color.

Cooking Tools For Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice

  • Large skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating the creamy sauce.
  • Medium saucepan: Used for cooking rice perfectly and keeping it fluffy.
  • Measuring cups: Helps measure rice, broth, and other ingredients accurately.
  • Measuring spoons: Ensures precise seasoning for chicken and sauce.
  • Chef's knife: Needed for chopping onions and garlic, and garnishing with parsley.
  • Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring sauce and scraping pan bits.
  • Meat thermometer: Confirms chicken is cooked to safe internal temperature.
  • Fork: Used for fluffing rice after cooking.

Steps To Make Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice Cozy

  • Kickstart the Rice

Bring liquid to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Toss in rice, cover, and let it simmer quietly until tender and fluffy. Set aside when done.

  • Transform the Chicken

Pat chicken pieces until completely dry. Dust with a magical blend of seasonings. Fire up a skillet with a splash of oil and butter. Sear chicken until it develops a gorgeous golden crust. Pull chicken from the pan and let it rest.

  • Craft the Luxurious Sauce

Using the same skillet, melt butter and dance onions around until they turn translucent. Sprinkle in garlic and let it whisper its fragrance. Pour broth and scrape up all those delicious brown bits. Swirl in cream, Parmesan, and seasonings until the sauce becomes velvety smooth.

  • Reunite and Simmer

Nestle seared chicken back into the creamy sauce. Cover and let everything cuddle together on low heat until chicken reaches perfect doneness.

  • Plate with Passion

Spread rice as a luscious base. Crown with saucy chicken. Shower with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan for that final touch of deliciousness.

Tips To Boost Flavor In Smothered Chicken And Rice

  • Quick Cooking Hacks: Creamy Chicken Mastery
  • Chicken Texture Pro Tip: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in moisture and creates a delicious crispy exterior.
  • Sauce Rescue Technique: If sauce seems too thick, slowly whisk in a little extra chicken broth to reach desired consistency without losing rich flavor profile.
  • Dairy-Free Magic: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains the recipe's luxurious, creamy texture.
  • Herb Enhancement: Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil to elevate the sauce's complexity and add a personalized aromatic touch to the dish.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, keto-friendly meal that still delivers incredible taste and satisfaction.

Serve Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice Hot

  • Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and serve this hearty chicken dish as a comforting main course that feels like a warm hug.
  • Elegant Date Night Plating: Arrange the creamy chicken over a bed of fluffy rice, drizzle extra sauce, and sprinkle fresh parsley for a restaurant-worthy presentation that will impress your special someone.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Portion the chicken and rice into meal prep containers for easy lunches throughout the week, keeping the sauce separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy rice.
  • Quick Side Companion: Pair the dish with a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus or broccoli to add freshness and balance the rich, creamy sauce.

Store Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice For Later

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken and rice in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Smart Meal Prep Technique: Separate rice and chicken when storing to keep each ingredient's texture intact, preventing soggy rice and dry chicken.
  • Freezing Performance: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, which stay delicious for up to 3 months when sealed properly and thawed gradually in the refrigerator.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated chicken slowly in a covered skillet with a splash of chicken broth, stirring occasionally to restore moisture and prevent drying out, ensuring each bite remains tender and flavorful.
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Crispy Alfredo Chicken Wings Recipe

Crispy Alfredo Chicken Wings Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent alfredo chicken wings elevate classic bar snacks with creamy Italian-inspired flair. Parmesan, garlic, and herbs coat crispy wings for a luxurious appetizer you’ll crave at every gathering.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken wings (split into flats and drumettes)
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 2 tbsps unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep Wings: Thoroughly pat chicken wings dry with kitchen towels to eliminate excess moisture, guaranteeing ultimate crispiness.
  2. Season Aggressively: Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper into a dynamic spice blend. Massage seasonings deeply into wing surfaces, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration.
  3. Cooking Method: Choose between oven-roasting at 425F on a wire rack over foil-lined baking sheet or deep-frying at 350F. Position wings with minimal contact, promoting even heat circulation and crisp exterior development.
  4. Cook and Verify: Roast or fry wings until exterior transforms into a golden, crackling shell and internal temperature precisely hits 165F. Baking requires 40-45 minutes, while frying demands 8-10 minutes.
  5. Craft Alfredo Sauce: Gently melt butter in a saucepan, introducing minced garlic and allowing aromatics to release their essence. Pour heavy cream smoothly, creating a silky foundation for the sauce.
  6. Cheese Integration: Gradually whisk freshly grated Parmesan into the cream mixture, stirring continuously until the sauce achieves a luxurious, velvety consistency with rich, complex flavors.
  7. Sauce Refinement: Season Alfredo with nuanced touches of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning to achieve perfect balance.
  8. Final Fusion: Immediately transfer hot wings into a spacious mixing bowl. Lavishly coat wings with warm Alfredo sauce, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
  9. Presentation: Arrange Alfredo-coated wings on a serving platter. Garnish with delicate sprinkles of freshly chopped parsley, adding visual appeal and herbal brightness.

Notes

  • Master Wing Moisture Control: Pat chicken wings completely dry with multiple clean towels to eliminate excess moisture, guaranteeing maximum crispiness and preventing soggy texture during cooking.
  • Optimize Spice Penetration: Massage seasoning blend thoroughly into wing surfaces, using fingertips to ensure even spice distribution and deep flavor infusion throughout the meat.
  • Temperature Precision Matters: Use a reliable meat thermometer to confirm internal wing temperature reaches exactly 165F, preventing undercooking while maintaining juicy, tender meat texture.
  • Sauce Coating Technique: Toss wings in warm Alfredo sauce immediately after cooking to help sauce adhere perfectly, creating a luxurious and evenly distributed flavor profile that clings to every wing surface.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 570
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 46 g
  • Saturated Fat: 19 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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