This One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution you’ve been searching for. Rich, creamy, and bursting with savory flavors, this dish combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a velvety Parmesan sauce – all prepared in just one skillet! Ready in about 40 minutes, it delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without the fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- True One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your evening.
- Rich and Satisfying: The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked rice hits all the comfort food notes without requiring hours in the kitchen.
- Family-Friendly: This crowd-pleaser works for picky eaters and food enthusiasts alike. The flavors are sophisticated enough for adults but approachable enough for kids.
- Versatile Base: Once you master this technique, you can customize it countless ways with different herbs, vegetables, or cheeses.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken breasts: The star protein that becomes incredibly tender as it cooks with the rice. You can trim them or pound to even thickness for more consistent cooking.
- Long-grain white rice: Forms the backbone of the dish, soaking up all those wonderful flavors while cooking to fluffy perfection. The long grain variety stays distinct and doesn’t become mushy.
- Chicken broth: Provides a flavor foundation far superior to water, infusing both the rice and chicken with savory depth.
- Heavy cream: Creates that luxurious, velvety texture that makes this dish so crave-worthy. It’s worth using the real thing here!
- Parmesan cheese: Brings nutty, salty complexity and helps thicken the sauce beautifully. Freshly grated melts much better than pre-packaged options.
- Onion and garlic: These aromatic foundations build essential flavor. Don’t rush the sautéing step – developing their sweetness is key.
- Olive oil: Used for browning the chicken, adding richness and preventing sticking.
- Salt and pepper: Simple but crucial seasonings that enhance all the other flavors. Season in layers for the best taste.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that cuts through the richness. Don’t skip this finishing touch!
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Mediterranean Twist
Add a teaspoon of dried oregano, some halved cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan. Finish with fresh basil instead of parsley.
Mushroom Lover’s Version
Add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms when sautéing the onions. The mushrooms will add wonderful umami depth to the dish.
Lighter Option
Substitute half the heavy cream with additional chicken broth and use half the Parmesan. It will be less rich but still delicious.
Herb-Infused
Add a bundle of fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, bay leaf) to simmer with the rice and remove before serving for subtle aromatic flavors.
How to Make One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice
Step 1: Prepare and Brown the Chicken
Season your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. You’re not cooking them through yet, just developing flavor. Remove the chicken to a plate.
Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
In the same skillet with all those wonderful chicken bits, add your finely chopped onion. Sauté for about 3 minutes until softening and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Keep stirring to prevent burning.
Step 3: Toast the Rice
Add your rice directly to the skillet with the aromatics. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes to toast the grains. This step might seem small, but it adds incredible nutty depth to the finished dish.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Base
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine everything. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits – that’s pure flavor! Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
Step 5: Return Chicken and Simmer
Place your browned chicken breasts back into the skillet, nestling them into the rice mixture. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let everything simmer together for 20-25 minutes. The chicken will finish cooking through while the rice absorbs all the flavorful liquid.
Step 6: Finish with Parmesan
Once the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature), remove the pan from heat. Stir in your grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Step 7: Rest and Garnish
Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to settle. Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley before bringing it to the table.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Brown the chicken properly: Don’t rush this step! Those golden edges mean flavor. Make sure your pan is hot before adding the chicken to get a good sear.
- Rice selection matters: Stick with long-grain white rice for this recipe. Short-grain varieties might become too sticky, and brown rice would require different cooking times and liquid amounts.
- Keep the lid on: Resist the urge to peek during the simmering process. Every time you lift the lid, steam escapes and can result in undercooked rice.
- Grate your own Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy instead of silky smooth.
- Temperature check: Verify your chicken reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer for food safety while ensuring it doesn’t overcook and become dry.
How to Serve
This one-pan wonder is essentially a complete meal on its own, but here are some perfect pairings to round out your dinner:
Simple Sides
A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy main dish. Steamed or roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans also make excellent complementary vegetables.
Bread Options
Some crusty bread or garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of that incredible sauce. A warm baguette or homemade dinner rolls would be wonderful.
Wine Pairing
This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio if you enjoy white wine. For red wine lovers, try a light Pinot Noir that won’t overpower the delicate cream sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often become even better the next day as they continue to meld.
Freezing
While you can freeze this dish, the cream sauce may separate slightly when thawed. For best results, freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
The best way to reheat this dish is gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to revive the sauce if it seems too thick. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and warm until heated through. For smaller portions, the microwave works in a pinch – cover and heat at 50% power, stirring halfway through.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and often stay even juicier than breasts. They may need slightly less cooking time, so check them a few minutes earlier with your meat thermometer.
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What can I substitute for heavy cream?
While heavy cream provides the richest result, you can use half-and-half for a lighter version. For a dairy-free alternative, full-fat coconut milk works surprisingly well, though it will add a subtle coconut flavor. Avoid milk as it’s too thin and may curdle.
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Why is my rice still crunchy after the cooking time?
This typically happens if your heat was too high, causing liquid to evaporate too quickly, or if steam escaped during cooking. If your rice isn’t tender, add an extra ¼ cup of broth or water, cover again, and cook for 5-7 more minutes on low heat.
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Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Definitely! Frozen peas, diced bell peppers, or spinach make excellent additions. For firmer vegetables like bell peppers, add them with the onions. For quick-cooking options like spinach or peas, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Final Thoughts
This One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice transforms simple ingredients into something truly special. It’s the kind of recipe that proves you don’t need complicated techniques or endless ingredients to create a memorable meal. The next time you’re tempted to order takeout after a long day, remember this dish – just as fast, infinitely more satisfying, and guaranteed to bring everyone to the table with smiles. Give it a try tonight!
Print
One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: One Pot & One Pan
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice is a comforting and flavorful dish made with tender chicken breasts, creamy Parmesan sauce, and fluffy rice—all cooked together in just one skillet. Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy recipe delivers a complete meal with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet for extra flavor.
- Toast the Rice: Add the long-grain white rice to the skillet. Stir frequently and toast the rice for 2-3 minutes until the grains become slightly opaque and start to pick up some color.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients, ensuring there are no clumps and all flavors are incorporated. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Chicken and Rice: Carefully return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the rice mixture. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Finish with Parmesan: Remove the lid, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture, and gently stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For added flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-grated for a smoother sauce.
- If you prefer darker meat, boneless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts.
- Let the skillet sit covered for a few minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to meld.
- You can add vegetables like spinach or peas for extra nutrition and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with rice (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
