Description
A comforting Smothered Chicken and Rice dish featuring tender chicken breasts baked with creamy rice, mushrooms, broccoli, and savory seasonings. This one-pan meal combines sautéing and baking to create a deliciously creamy and hearty dinner perfect for family nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Liquids
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dish later.
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Brown each chicken breast for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Cook Vegetables: Add sliced mushrooms and broccoli florets to the skillet. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.
- Add Rice: Stir in the long-grain rice, cooking for an additional 2 minutes so it absorbs the flavors from the vegetables and onions.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stovetop.
- Combine Chicken and Rice: Nestle the browned chicken breasts back into the skillet, covering them with the rice and vegetable mixture.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet with chicken and rice to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- Use a skillet that is oven-safe to avoid transferring contents when baking.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Feel free to swap broccoli with other vegetables like spinach or bell peppers based on preference.
