Deliciously Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice

When you think of comfort food, there is nothing better than an incredibly creamy, hearty dish that adds warmth and flavor to your dinner table. Smothered Rice and Chicken is a traditional recipe that combines tender, juicy chicken thighs and a delicious and flavorful sauce. It’s served over perfect rice. If it’s the weeknight meal or for an intimate family dinner the dish is delicious on every level. Let’s look at the process of making this amazing recipe step-by step.

What You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

  • 4 thighs of a chicken (bone-in skin-on, bone-in)
  • Add salt and/or pepper according to your taste
  • 1 teaspoon the spice paprika
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

For the Creamy Sauce:

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup of cream from mushroom soup

For the Rice:

  • 1 cup white long-grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Garnish:

  • Chopped fresh parsley

How Much Time Will You Need?

This delicious dish requires about 10 minutes to prepare and around 40 minutes for cooking. In under an hour it will be a smooth and comforting dish ready for serving!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the Chicken

Start by sprinkling the thighs of chicken with salt pepper, paprika and paprika. onion powder and garlic powder. The combination of spices makes a delicious crusts when the chicken is cooked and makes every bite delicious.

2. Sear the Chicken

Heating 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated then add the thighs of chicken skin-side up. Grill the thighs for about 5-7 minutes both sides until they get an amazing golden brown color. Take the cooked chicken out of the pan and place it on the plate.

3. Saute the Aromatics

In the same pan mix in chopped onion, minced garlic and diced. Cook them for approximately three to four hours to ensure that the onions become translucent and aromatic. The aromatics create the flavor base for the creamy sauce.

4. Make the Creamy Sauce

Incorporate 1 cup soup made from mushrooms as well as one cup heavy cream to the skillet. Mix everything together until together, and then bring the soup to a simmer. The sauce will become thicker while cooking, giving an incredibly rich texture that goes well with the rice and chicken.

5. Simmer the Chicken

Return the thighs of chicken seared to the skillet and place them in the sauce. Cover the pan and let the cooked chicken simmer over between 20 and 25 minutes. This will allow the chicken to soften and to absorb the delicious flavours of the sauce.

6. Cook the Rice

While the chicken simmers make the rice. In a large pot cook 2 cups chicken broth to boiling. In the same pot, add 1 cup white long-grain rice Reduce the heat to a simmer then cover the pan. Allow the rice to simmer over about 18-20 mins until it’s fluffy and taken up all the broth.

7. Taste and Adjust

Before serving before serving, taste the creamy sauce, and then adjust your seasoning using additional spice or salt If needed. This will ensure that each component that is included in this dish has been well spiced.

8. Plate and Serve

For serving the dish, spoon a generous portion of rice on each serving plate. Put a thigh of a chicken over the rice, and pour a delicious sauce on top of the meal. Add freshly chopped parsley to give an explosion of freshness and color. Enjoy the deliciously creamy chicken smothered in rice!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Rich and creamy: The combination of heavy cream and creamy mushroom soup makes a delicious sauce that is perfect for smothering rice and chicken.
  • Basic Ingredients By using a few items from the pantry and ingredients, you can make something that tastes like it took you hours to prepare.
  • One-Skillet Wonder The chicken with sauce and in the same pan will not only improve the taste but also makes cleaning effortless.
  • Family-friendly: This recipe is loved by children and adults alike, which makes it perfect for family meals.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving:

  • Serve it with a simple salad or cooked vegetables to counterbalance the richness in the dish.
  • A bread crusty slice is perfect for scooping up any sauce that has accumulated on the plate.

Storage:

  • Remaining food items can be stored in an airtight container and keep them in fridge for as long as three days.
  • Cook gently on the stovetop or microwave and add the cream or chicken broth for a looser sauce as you need to.

Helpful Notes

  • Bone-In chicken: The use of skin-on, bone-in thighs of chicken gives an extra taste and preserves the meat’s juicy. If you prefer chicken that is bone-less alter the cooking time accordingly.
  • Rice Variety: Feel free to substituting long-grain white rice for jasmine rice or brown rice. Change the cooking time and the amount of liquid as required.
  • Add vegetables: Enhance the dish by adding spinach, mushrooms or peas into the creamy sauce for more nutrients and taste.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • Chef’s Tips 1. Never cook the bird with the skin side down to seal in the juices and give crisp texture.
  • Chef’s Tips #2: Deglaze the skillet with a splash white wine prior to adding the cream to give it an additional taste.
  • Chef’s Tips #3: Make your own chicken broth to cook rice if it’s possible. It’s a game changer!

FAQs

1. Can I substitute chicken breasts for thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts tend to cook more quickly and therefore, reduce the time of simmering to stop them drying out.

2. What is the alternative of the cream of soup made from mushrooms?

You can replace it with chicken cream soup or make your own version by sauteed mushroom as well as chicken broth and cream.

3. Does this recipe contain gluten?

To make it gluten-free, you can use a cream of mushrooms that is gluten-free soup. Ensure that the chicken broth you use is gluten-free too.

4. Can I freeze this dish?

Yes, however the texture of the sauce could be altered slightly upon thawing. Keep it in a sealed container to last for two months.

5. What can I do to spice up the food?

Include a dash in cayenne or red chili powder to the seasoning mix for an extra kick of spice.

6. What is the best way to serve this dish?

Freshly roasted vegetables, a salad or garlic bread are great side dishes.

7. Do I have to use half and half instead from heavy cream?

But the sauce will not be as thick and creamy.

8. How can I tell if the chicken is cooked to perfection?

Use a thermometer for meat. The temperature inside should be the temperature of 165degreesF (74degC).

9. Can I use pre-cooked rice?

Yes, but alter the cooking method to warm the rice using some broth to add flavor.

10. What herbs could I use as garnish?

Fresh chives, parsley, or thyme make wonderful garnishes.

Conclusion

This deliciously creamy Smothered chicken rice recipe is an example of the power of simple ingredients to create an amazing dinner. The tender thighs of chicken along with the creamy sauce along with perfectly cooked rice are put together to make the perfect comfort food that’s as delicious as it is tasty. If you’re hosting a dinner event or making a meal for your family This recipe is guaranteed to please. Grab your skillet and all the ingredients you need, and enjoy the ultimate meal of perfect!

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Deliciously Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice


  • Author: isabil
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

Chicken thighs, spices, olive oil, onion, garlic, heavy cream, cream of mushroom soup, rice, chicken broth, parsley


Instructions

  • Season and sear chicken.
  • Sauté onion and garlic.
  • Prepare creamy sauce.
  • Simmer chicken in sauce.
  • Cook rice in chicken broth.
  • Serve chicken over rice with sauce and parsley garnish.

Notes

  • Use bone-in thighs for extra flavor.
  • Deglaze the skillet for a richer sauce.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
  • Prep Time: 10minutes
  • Cook Time: 45minutes

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