Description

Parmesan Chicken & Rice is a comforting and easy one-pot meal combining tender chicken, fluffy long-grain rice, and rich, savory Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe uses simple pantry staples to deliver a flavorful, family-friendly dinner with minimal prep and clean-up.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Grains

4 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

Dairy and Fats

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil

Liquids

2 1/2 cups chicken broth (ensure gluten-free if needed)

Seasonings and Aromatics

2–3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the ingredients: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Finely mince the garlic cloves.
Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté garlic and toast the rice: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the rinsed rice and stir frequently, letting it toast lightly for 1-2 minutes to absorb the buttery garlic flavor.
Add broth and chicken back in: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Nestle the browned chicken on top of the rice, cover the skillet, and cook on low heat for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
Stir in Parmesan cheese: Remove the chicken and fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Return the chicken to the pan to reheat briefly before serving.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and richer flavor.
Don’t skip toasting the rice to add a subtle nutty depth to the dish.
Cover the pan tightly while cooking to ensure even rice cooking by trapping steam.
Let the dish rest covered for 5 minutes after cooking to fully absorb flavors.
If using thick chicken cuts, flatten slightly to ensure even cooking and tenderness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: One-Pot Stovetop Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 700 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: Parmesan chicken, one-pot meal, easy dinner, chicken and rice, family-friendly, gluten-free, comfort food