One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food with minimal cleanup, One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice simply has to make it onto your menu! This dish features tender, golden chicken nestled in perfectly cooked rice, all cloaked in a velvety Parmesan-spiked sauce. Every bite is indulgent yet impossibly easy, making dinner feel both special and low-maintenance. Ideal for busy weeknights, casual family feasts, or when you want something cozy and delicious with little effort, One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice delivers warm, savory flavors and creamy comfort you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice lies in its humble, everyday ingredients that come together for an extraordinary meal. Each element plays a starring role in the flavor, texture, or sheer comfort-factor of every bite.
- Chicken breasts: Opt for boneless, skinless for speedy cooking and juicy, fork-tender results.
- Long-grain white rice: Provides the perfect, fluffy grain that soaks up all those delicious flavors without turning mushy.
- Chicken broth: Infuses savory depth into the rice while keeping everything moist and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Heavy cream: The secret to that dreamy, creamy texture that envelops every bite.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Brings salty, nutty richness—freshly grated always plays nicer, but pre-grated works in a pinch!
- Small onion: Adds a sweet and aromatic undertone—finely chopped so it melts right into the sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Three cloves ensure the sauce is flavorful and aromatic without overpowering everything else.
- Olive oil: For browning the chicken to a golden crust and enriching the base flavors.
- Salt and pepper: Simple but vital—season to taste at each step for the most balanced flavor.
- Fresh parsley: A final sprinkle of color and freshness to brighten up the creamy finish.
How to Make One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice
Step 1: Prepare and Brown the Chicken
Start by seasoning your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high—when it shimmers, nestle in the chicken. Sear until each side is beautifully golden, locking in juices and building that irresistible flavor. Set the chicken aside; you’ll return to it soon!
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Don’t wipe out the skillet—the left-behind golden bits are flavor gold! Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté these aromatics just until the onion softens and everything smells sweet and delectable. This quick step creates the fragrant foundation for One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice.
Step 3: Toast the Rice
Pour the rice straight into your fragrant onion mixture and give it a good toss. Toasting the rice for a couple minutes ensures tender grains with just a hint of nuttiness, setting the stage for the creamy magic to come.
Step 4: Add Liquids and Combine
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, giving everything a good stir so the flavors start mingling. This duo transforms plain rice into a creamy, rich bed for your chicken, and the broth helps season each bite from the inside out.
Step 5: Simmer Chicken and Rice Together
Time to reunite the chicken with its pan! Nestle the seared breasts on top of the rice mixture, cover snugly, and lower the heat. The steam and gentle bubbling will cook the rice just right while infusing the chicken with all that savory, creamy flavor. Give it 20–25 minutes until the rice is tender and each chicken breast is cooked to juicy perfection.
Step 6: Stir in Parmesan for Even More Creaminess
When the rice and chicken are done, finish things off by stirring in the Parmesan cheese. The cheese melts into the creamy sauce, thickening it just so and lacing every grain of rice with extra flavor. Taste for final seasoning, and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
All that’s left is a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and a little fresh flavor! Serve the One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice hot and watch everyone dive in.
How to Serve One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice
Garnishes
A classic finish for One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice is a generous flurry of chopped parsley. For a touch of sophistication or extra pop, add freshly cracked black pepper, or even a few shavings of Parmesan on top just before serving.
Side Dishes
This dish is a meal in itself, but if you want to round things out, a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or steamed green beans add fresh contrast to the rich, creamy flavors. Garlic bread is an over-the-top but welcome companion if you’re feeling indulgent!
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner-party feel, try slicing the chicken and fanning it across a bed of rice on each plate. Mini cast iron pans or small individual baking dishes also make One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice look restaurant-fancy with no extra effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The creamy rice keeps its luscious texture, and the chicken stays tender if you don’t overcook on reheating.
Freezing
While the creamy sauce does best fresh, you can freeze cooled portions for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and expect the sauce to be a bit thicker. A splash of broth or cream added during reheating helps restore that silky finish.
Reheating
To reheat, use a covered skillet or pot over gentle heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. For single servings, the microwave works well—just cover and heat in short bursts, stirring so the rice doesn’t dry out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work beautifully and add extra richness. Just be sure to trim excess fat and adjust cooking time as needed for juicy, cooked-through chicken.
Is it possible to make One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe as written is naturally gluten-free, especially if you double-check your chicken broth is certified gluten-free. It’s a great choice for those avoiding wheat without any flavor compromise.
Can I swap the heavy cream for a lighter option?
You can use half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter sauce, though the final dish will be slightly less creamy. For the best flavor, try to keep at least part of the dairy as cream or even add a tablespoon of cream cheese for richness.
What kind of Parmesan cheese is best?
Freshly grated Parmesan straight from the block melts smoothly and brings unbeatable flavor, but pre-shredded or grated versions are totally fine for convenience. Avoid the powdered style in a can for best results.
Can this recipe be doubled?
Definitely! Just use a larger pan (or split between two) so the rice cooks evenly. Keep an eye on the liquid, and add extra broth if needed so everything remains creamy as it cooks.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the mood for a new weeknight favorite or want to impress with minimal effort, you can’t go wrong with One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice. Every bite is pure, creamy comfort and I can’t wait for this to become a regular at your table too. Give it a try—your taste buds (and your dishwashing routine) will thank you!
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One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice is a delicious and comforting dish that is easy to make and perfect for a family dinner. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rice:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brown on both sides in a skillet. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Toast the Rice: Add rice to the skillet and toast for 2-3 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, bring to a simmer.
- Cook Chicken and Rice: Return chicken to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Finish with Parmesan: Stir in Parmesan cheese until creamy.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- You can add vegetables like peas or broccoli for extra nutrition.
- Feel free to add herbs like thyme or rosemary for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Creamy Parmesan Chicken, One-Pan Chicken and Rice, Comfort Food Recipe
