Description
Parmesan chicken & rice delight brings comfort and elegance to weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup. Creamy textures and rich flavors combine seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of this simple yet sophisticated meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken fillets (boneless, skinless)
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) long-grain white rice
- 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 onion (small, finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml / 1 fl oz) olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Parsley (fresh, chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Evenly coat chicken fillets with salt and pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage on both surfaces.
- Searing Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook chicken until golden-brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Aromatic Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until onions become translucent, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Rice Toasting: Introduce rice to the skillet, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes to develop a rich, nutty flavor profile.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, creating a smooth, harmonious cooking base. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Chicken Reincorporation: Carefully return seared chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the creamy rice mixture.
- Simmering Process: Cover skillet, reduce heat to low, and allow dish to simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice becomes tender and chicken cooks completely.
- Cheese Finale: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the dish, stirring until fully melted and integrated. Perform final seasoning adjustments with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Chicken Browning Technique: Achieve a golden-brown crust by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding chicken, which locks in flavors and creates a beautiful exterior.
- Rice Toasting Tip: Sautéing rice for 2-3 minutes before adding liquid develops a deeper, nuttier flavor and prevents clumping.
- Moisture Management: Use the same skillet for each step to capture layered flavors and minimize cleanup while maintaining a rich, cohesive taste profile.
- Cheese Melting Secret: Add Parmesan off the heat to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, creamy texture that coats every grain of rice perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg