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Quick Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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A comforting, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a rich creamy sauce. This recipe is designed for speed and ease, requiring minimal cleanup and simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots

Instructions

  1. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Sauté diced onion for 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add uncooked rice to the skillet and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until translucent and nutty.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  6. Remove lid. Stir in cooked chicken, frozen peas and carrots, and heavy cream. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
  7. Cover again and let sit for 3-5 minutes on very low heat to melt the cheese.
  8. Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not stir the rice while it is simmering to prevent gumminess. Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels. Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts, but breasts can be used with reduced cooking time. For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for milk or almond milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken and rice, one pan dinner, creamy chicken, quick dinner, weeknight meals, easy skillet recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/quick-creamy-chicken-and-rice-skillet-easy-30-minute-dinner/