Description
Garlic Parmesan Rice with Chicken is a flavorful and comforting one-pan meal combining tender bite-sized chicken pieces sautéed to perfection with aromatic garlic, creamy Parmesan cheese, and perfectly cooked white rice. This American-inspired dish is quick to prepare on the stovetop, making it an ideal easy weeknight dinner that delivers rich, savory flavors and a satisfying creamy texture in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Rice and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the hot pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and toast rice: Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn it. Stir in the white rice and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently to lightly toast the rice and coat it in the butter and garlic mixture.
- Simmer the rice: Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all ingredients, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Add cheese and chicken: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the rice becomes creamy. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan and mix everything together evenly.
- Season and serve: Taste the dish and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve the garlic Parmesan rice with chicken warm for a hearty, delicious meal.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese when adding the Parmesan cheese.
- This recipe works well with leftover rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken to save time.
- Fresh parsley adds a lovely pop of color and freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if you wish to control salt intake.
- You can substitute long grain white rice with jasmine rice for a subtly different aroma.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
