Description
This Best Smothered Chicken and Rice recipe features tender boneless chicken breasts baked atop a creamy, flavorful rice mixture with sautéed bell peppers and onions. The dish is seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic powder, then simmered in chicken broth and heavy cream for a comforting one-pan meal that’s perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Rice Mixture
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup bell peppers (chopped)
- 1 cup onions (chopped)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Other
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and season chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts. Season them generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika on both sides.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and bell peppers, sautéing until they become soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add rice and broth: Stir the rice into the skillet, coating grains with the oil and vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add cream and layer chicken: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream along with garlic powder. Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts evenly on top of the rice mixture.
- Bake covered: Cover the skillet or transfer to an oven-safe dish and cover tightly with a lid or foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and serve warm alongside the creamy smothered chicken.
Notes
- Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the salt level in the dish.
- If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the dish may be less rich.
- Make sure the chicken breasts are of even thickness for even cooking.
- You can add other vegetables like mushrooms or peas for extra flavor and texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.