One Pan Creamy Chicken and Rice
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Creamy Chicken and Rice is one of the heartiest, most comforting dinners and it’s absolutely perfect for cold fall days! Rice, veggies and chicken are all cooked together in a creamy broth for a satisfying dinner in one.
Easy One Pan Chicken and Rice Recipe
This creamy chicken and rice is one of those recipes that the whole family can agree on. The flavors are simple enough for the kids but the flavors are delicious enough to satisfy adults too.
It’s just straight up delicious cozy comfort food.
And as mentioned in the recipe title, it all cooks in one pan so clean up is easy breezy. Plus it gives the flavors all a chance to meld since everything is cooked together. Yum!
Chicken and Rice Ingredients
This is one of my all-time favorite chicken dishes with rice since it uses primarily pantry staples and comes together so quickly.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy chicken and rice recipe:
- Fresh veggies (yellow onion, carrots, celery and garlic)
- Olive oil
- Chicken thighs
- White rice
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Fresh thyme and/or rosemary, and parsley
- Salt and pepper
- Frozen peas
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Thighs?
I know some of you are probably wondering about using chicken breasts here. That’s fine, but I do think the thighs are best here as they have more flavor.
Do note that if you are using chicken breasts I definitely wouldn’t cook them entire time, as the thighs do. Cook breast pieces fully first, then wrap in foil and keep warm and mix in at the end. Over-cooked chicken breasts wouldn’t do this recipe any favors.
How to Make Chicken and Rice
- Saute onion, carrots and celery in oil. Transfer to a plate.
- Cook chicken in skillet, adding garlic near the end.
- Add in rice, chicken broth and thyme and season with salt and pepper.
- Return veggies to skillet.
- Bring mixture to a boil then cover and simmer until liquid has been absorbed and rice is nearly tender.
- Stir in peas and cream, cover and cook until rice is fully tender.
- Stir in parmesan and parsley.
Can I Use Brown Rice Instead of White?
I wouldn’t recommend it, no. Brown rice would be a little trickier since it takes twice as long to cook.
Without testing, I can’t say for sure if brown rice will work in this recipe because I don’t think you’d want to cook the chicken that long. I’d maybe par cook the brown rice first and then proceed as instructed.
Can I Use Dried Herbs in Place of Fresh?
You can substitute dried herbs for the fresh, and feel free to use both the rosemary and thyme if you like a lot of herbs.
Can I Use a Heavy Cream Substitute?
I highly recommend that you don’t leave out the cream and substitute with broth. We all need a comforting meal now and then and the cream makes it so good!
Tips for the Best Chicken and Rice
- Want it cheesier? Feel free to add more parmesan if you like it extra cheesy.
- You’re welcome to add different veggies to this creamy chicken and rice. Just keep in mind that onion, celery, and carrots all take a while to cook so if you add softer, faster cooking veggies (like broccoli) you may want to add them near the end of the cook time.
- If you wind up with leftover chicken and rice, I recommend reheating it in a skillet with a splash of milk to loosen it up if needed.
More Chicken and Rice Dishes You’ll Love!
- Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Rice Bowls
- Chicken Adobo
- Jerk Chicken with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice
Follow Cooking Classy
One Pan Creamy Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small)
- 1 cup sliced carrots (about 2 medium)
- 1 cup sliced celery (about 3 stalks)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 1/4 lbs trimmed boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 tsp minced fresh thyme and/or rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup frozen petite peas
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots and celery and saute until tender, about 8 - 9 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Heat remaining 1/2 Tbsp oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add in chicken and cook 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until chicken is nearly cooked through, about 2 minutes longer.
- Add in rice, chicken broth and thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. Return veggies to skillet.
- Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover with lid and simmer until liquid has been absorbed and rice is nearly tender, about 18 - 20 minutes.
- Stir in peas and cream, cover and cook until rice is fully tender, about 5 minutes longer.
- Stir in parmesan and parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
- Want it cheesier? Feel free to add more parmesan if you like it extra cheesy.
- You're welcome to add different veggies to this creamy chicken and rice. Just keep in mind that onion, celery, and carrots all take a while to cook so if you add softer, faster cooking veggies (like broccoli) you may want to add them near the end of the cook time.
- Recipe source: Cooking Classy