Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
