Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice with Vegetables Recipe
A comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts smothered in a creamy sauce with mushrooms, onions, and broccoli, served over perfectly cooked long-grain rice. This effortless meal combines rich textures and hearty ingredients for a satisfying home-cooked dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Rice and Sauce
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Begin by chopping the onion, slicing the mushrooms, mincing the garlic, and cutting broccoli into florets. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season them with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add chopped onion and garlic, sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened. Then add mushrooms and broccoli florets, cooking for another 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add Rice and Sauce: Stir in the uncooked long-grain rice to the skillet and coat it with the veggie mixture. Pour in the heavy cream and season with additional salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Covered: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy rice and vegetable mixture. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Finish and Garnish: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat milk alternative.
- If fresh broccoli is unavailable, frozen broccoli works well—add it a few minutes earlier to ensure it cooks through.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- This dish can be prepared in advance; simply reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.
- Adding a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top before serving adds extra richness.
Keywords: smothered chicken, creamy chicken and rice, chicken with mushrooms, one-pan chicken recipe, broccoli chicken dinner
