Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken thighs with a rich, savory sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this recipe delivers creamy indulgence with simple ingredients that come together effortlessly.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs (700 g) chicken thighs or breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown on both sides until golden. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until soft, fragrant, and lightly golden.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic. Stir continuously to form a roux and cook for about 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Add heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer gently until it thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Nestle the browned chicken back into the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10–15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
7. Step 7: Serve the creamy smothered chicken over warm cooked rice. Drizzle extra sauce on top and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier, more tender results, but breasts work well too.
• Try coconut milk instead of cream for a dairy-free version.
• Add mushrooms, spinach, or smoked paprika to enhance flavor and texture.
• Serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
• Cook rice separately to keep it fluffy and prevent the sauce from becoming too thick.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much. This dish also freezes well—thaw completely before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts can be used. Keep in mind that thighs generally stay juicier and more tender when simmered in the sauce.

How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?

If the sauce is too thin, simmer it a little longer uncovered to reduce and thicken. You can also mix a small amount of flour or cornstarch with cold water and stir it in gradually while simmering.

Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 678 reviews

Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender seared chicken thighs or breasts smothered in a rich, creamy sauce made from heavy cream, chicken broth, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce. Served over fluffy rice and garnished with fresh parsley, it’s an easy-to-make, hearty meal perfect for any season.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1 ½ lbs (700 g) chicken thighs or breasts
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauce & Aromatics

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Serving & Garnish

• Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, then generously season both sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning to build flavor.
2. Sear to perfection: Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown it on both sides until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Build the roux: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked onions and garlic. Stir continuously to form a paste and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
5. Add liquids: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Then add the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Return the chicken: Nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Spoon some sauce over the top. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for 10–15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
7. Serve: Spoon the creamy smothered chicken and sauce over cooked white or brown rice. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

• Use fresh garlic for the best aroma and flavor in the sauce.
• For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
• Cook the rice separately to ensure it stays fluffy and doesn’t over-thicken the sauce.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days; reheat slowly on the stove with a splash of broth if sauce thickens.
• You can add vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, peas, or carrots for extra nutrition and flavor.
• Swap chicken for turkey, pork chops, or tofu for variation.
• Use gluten-free flour if needed to make this recipe gluten-free.

Keywords: creamy chicken, smothered chicken, chicken and rice, one-pan dinner, comfort food, creamy sauce, skillet chicken