Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice: A Homestyle Comfort Dish (Print Version)

Get the recipe for Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice, a heartwarming, easy meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, it's pure comfort.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Meat

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken & Base

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 cup long-grain white rice (e.g., jasmine)
04 - 1.5 cups chicken broth, low-sodium

→ Sauce & Dairy

05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - 4 oz cream cheese, full-fat, softened

→ Flavor Boosters

07 - 1 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1 tsp onion powder
09 - 0.5 tsp dried thyme
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, pat those chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Seriously, it helps them brown better, and browning means flavor! Cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch chunks. Season them generously with a good pinch of salt and black pepper, maybe a little garlic powder too. This step always makes me feel like a real chef, even when my kitchen counter is covered in flour from another project.
02 - Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Once shimmering, add your seasoned chicken in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan, or it'll steam instead of sear! Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crispy. You're not cooking it through yet, just getting that beautiful color. I always get a little too excited at this stage and almost burn it, so keep an eye on it!
03 - Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium. Add a little more olive oil if needed, then stir in your garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme. Let them cook for about 30 seconds until super fragrant – oh, that smell! It just fills the kitchen. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan. This is called "deglazing," and it adds so much depth!
04 - Bring the broth to a gentle simmer. Now, whisk in the heavy cream and the cream cheese until everything is smooth and fully combined. This is where the magic happens for our dish! Make sure the cream cheese melts completely; sometimes I get impatient and have a few lumps, but a good whisking usually fixes it. Season with a little more salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Return the seared chicken to the creamy sauce. Stir it all together, making sure every piece of chicken is nicely coated. Bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and super tender. This is where all those flavors really meld, and the chicken just soaks up all that goodness.
06 - While the chicken simmers, cook your long-grain white rice according to package directions. For jasmine rice, it's usually 1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water, simmered covered for 15 minutes, then rested off heat for 5. I always forget to salt the water, but a little pinch makes a difference! Once done, fluff it with a fork. It should be perfectly tender and ready to soak up all that creamy sauce.
07 - Once the chicken is ready and the rice is fluffed, it's time to serve this amazing meal! Spoon a generous helping of rice onto plates, then top with the luscious chicken and sauce. A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for garnish adds a lovely pop of color and freshness. Honestly, seeing it all come together is just so satisfying. Dig in!

# Notes:

01 - Always pat your chicken dry before searing. It makes such a difference in getting that golden crust, which means more flavor, trust me!
02 - Don't rush the sauce-making; whisk the cream cheese until it's completely smooth. Lumpy sauce is a sad sauce.
03 - Taste and adjust seasoning throughout! I often forget and then realize at the end it needs a little something extra.
04 - Serving this with a fresh green salad really balances the richness.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
02 - whisk
03 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 650
Total Fat: 45g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 30g

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