Description
This Creamy Herb Chicken Basmati Rice recipe features tender, golden-brown chicken breasts simmered in a rich and flavorful herb-infused cream sauce, served over fluffy, perfectly cooked basmati rice and topped with savory Parmesan cheese. It’s a comforting, elegant one-hour meal ideal for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon mixed dried herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, and oregano)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Rice
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare and Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper thoroughly. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for approximately 6-8 minutes on each side or until they turn a golden brown color.
- Make Creamy Herb Sauce: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily. In the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and add the mixed dried herbs. Stir the mixture well to incorporate the herbs and deglaze the pan, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken breasts back to the skillet with the cream sauce. Reduce the heat to low and cover or allow to simmer gently for about 15 minutes. This step allows the chicken to finish cooking through and the sauce to thicken and absorb the herb flavors.
- Cook Basmati Rice: While the chicken simmers, rinse the basmati rice under cold water repeatedly until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. In a separate pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the rinsed rice, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the broth.
- Serve: Once the chicken and sauce are ready and the rice is cooked, plate the rice first and place the creamy herb chicken breasts on top. Garnish each serving with the grated Parmesan cheese for a rich finishing touch.
Notes
- For best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded.
- If dried herbs are not available, you can substitute fresh herbs, but use about three times the amount.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken during the searing step to keep it juicy and tender.
- Rinsing basmati rice removes extra starch to prevent the rice from becoming gummy.
- You can adjust seasoning after simmering by adding more salt or pepper to taste.
