Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice Recipe
Introduction
Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice is a comforting dish that combines tender chicken thighs or breasts with a rich, savory sauce. This meal offers a perfect balance of creamy texture and deep flavors, making it a satisfying dinner option for any night of the week.
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
- Step 1: Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Step 2: Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown on both sides until golden. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook until soft, fragrant, and lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic. Stir constantly to form a paste and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Step 5: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Then add the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the pieces and reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- 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
- For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
- Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a low-carb version.
- Try adding mushrooms for earthiness or spinach for a fresh, green boost.
- Add a splash of lemon juice at the end to brighten the flavors.
- Use gluten-free flour to make the sauce gluten-free.
- 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. When reheating, warm gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce becomes too thick. Avoid microwaving directly to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use boneless chicken breasts as a leaner option, but thighs provide a juicier and more tender texture when smothered in the creamy sauce.
How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?
If the sauce is too thin, mix a little extra flour with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce. Cook for a few more minutes until it thickens to your liking.
PrintCreamy Smothered Chicken & Rice Recipe
Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice is a comforting, rich, and flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken thighs or breasts smothered in a luscious heavy cream and chicken broth sauce with a hint of Worcestershire sauce. Enhanced with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and fresh garlic, this recipe combines tender seared chicken with a silky roux-thickened gravy, served over fluffy rice for a satisfying and nourishing meal perfect for any season.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 ½ lbs (700 g) chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For Cooking and Sauce
- 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
To Serve
- Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning to infuse the meat with flavor.
- Sear to perfection: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, developing a savory crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onions and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until the onions are soft, translucent, and lightly golden, releasing their aroma.
- Build the roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the cooked onions and garlic. Stir continually to form a smooth paste and cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add liquids: Gradually pour the chicken broth into the skillet while stirring to prevent lumps. Then, add the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and Worcestershire sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer gently until it thickens slightly into a silky sauce.
- Return the chicken: Nestle the browned chicken back into the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the meat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy smothered chicken over warm cooked rice. Drizzle extra sauce on top and garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a bright, fresh touch.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut milk for the heavy cream.
- Use gluten-free flour if you need to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Adding vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or peas can boost nutrition and flavor.
- To keep the rice fluffy and avoid sauce thickness issues, cook the rice separately.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
- For a low-carb alternative, serve the chicken and sauce over cauliflower rice.
- For more depth, add a splash of lemon juice at the end to brighten the sauce.
Keywords: Creamy chicken, smothered chicken, chicken and rice, comfort food, creamy sauce, stovetop chicken, chicken thighs recipe
