Description
Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible one-pan creamy parmesan chicken & rice dish that brings Italian-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Hearty chicken nestled in rich, cheesy rice promises a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquid and Produce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Initiate the protein preparation by seasoning chicken pieces with a blend of salt, pepper, and aromatic Italian herbs. Sear the chicken in a hot skillet with olive oil, developing a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking. Transfer the perfectly seared chicken to a temporary plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to soften diced onions, creating a translucent base. Introduce minced garlic and allow its fragrant essence to permeate the cooking surface, releasing deep, rich flavors.
- Incorporate uncooked rice into the aromatic onion-garlic foundation, gently coating each grain with the flavorful mixture. Carefully pour chicken broth and luxurious heavy cream, creating a harmonious liquid foundation for the rice to absorb.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the simmering liquid, stirring to create a creamy, cohesive sauce. Nestle the previously seared chicken pieces atop the rice mixture, then cover and reduce heat to allow gentle, slow cooking.
- Allow the rice to tenderly absorb the creamy liquid, developing a rich, comforting texture. During the final moments of cooking, delicately fold fresh spinach leaves into the dish, wilting them slightly. Finish with a scattered garnish of fresh parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous touch before serving.
Notes
- Chicken Selection: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Seasoning Boost: Create a more intense flavor profile by marinating chicken in Italian seasoning and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Rice Perfection: Rinse rice beforehand to remove excess starch, resulting in fluffier and less sticky grains during the one-pan cooking process.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a lactose-free version that maintains creamy texture and rich taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg