Creamy Smothered Chicken Rice (Printer-Friendly)

Golden seared chicken in a rich, creamy cheese sauce over fluffy rice garnished with fresh parsley.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken and Seasonings

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, approximately 6 to 8 oz each
02 - 1 tsp garlic powder
03 - 1 tsp onion powder
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Rice

07 - 1 cup long grain white rice
08 - 2 cups chicken broth
09 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Sauce

10 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
12 - 1 cup whole milk
13 - 1 cup chicken broth
14 - 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Generously coat both sides of each breast with the seasoning blend, pressing to adhere.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken breasts without crowding and cook undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes until golden crust forms. Flip and sear the other side until equally golden.
03 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Bring chicken broth and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 to 18 minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed. Let rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - Using the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes until roux is light golden and nutty scented. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth, maintaining a smooth consistency.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheddar and Parmesan slowly, mixing thoroughly until melted and sauce coats the back of a spoon.
06 - Return chicken breasts to skillet. Spoon creamy sauce over them ensuring full coverage. Cover pan and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to finish cooking and absorb flavors.
07 - Plate the fluffed rice and top with smothered chicken. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Allow chicken to reach room temperature before cooking to ensure even searing and juiciness.
02 - Rinsing rice removes excess starch for fluffier texture.
03 - Reheat leftovers gently, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore sauce consistency and rice fluffiness.
04 - Deglaze the pan with white wine after searing chicken for enhanced flavor depth.

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