1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Creamy Chicken Rice Dish

Creamy Chicken and Rice

Featured in Delicious Main Course Recipes for Every Occasion.

This creamy chicken and rice dish combines the richness of risotto with the heartiness of plov for a one-pot meal that's both satisfying and easy to prepare. Tender chicken is sautéed with onions, carrots, and seasoned with salt, pepper, and bay leaves. The dish is elevated with a splash of white wine and finished with warm chicken broth and medium grain rice, simmered to perfection. Fresh garlic, parsley, and parmesan create a wonderfully creamy, flavorful finish. Ideal for family meals or entertaining, it’s a wholesome comfort food.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Haya
Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 03:06:00 GMT
A wooden spoon in a bowl of rice. Pin it
A wooden spoon in a bowl of rice. | recipesim.com

This creamy chicken and rice dish brings comfort food to the next level with tender pieces of chicken thighs and perfectly cooked rice all made in one pot. The recipe creates a beautiful balance between the heartiness of traditional plov and the creamy indulgence of risotto, making it a guaranteed family favorite.

I first made this when looking for a no-fuss dinner that would impress my in-laws. The empty pot at the end of the meal told me everything I needed to know. Now it appears on our table at least twice a month, especially during the colder seasons.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil and butter: create the perfect flavor foundation
  • Onion and carrots: add sweetness and texture
  • Boneless chicken thighs: stay tender and juicy even with longer cooking
  • White wine: deglazes the pan and adds complexity
  • Medium grain rice: absorbs flavors while maintaining the perfect texture
  • Whole head of garlic: infuses the dish with aromatic flavor without overwhelming
  • Parmesan cheese: adds the final creamy touch that makes this dish special

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:
Heat olive oil and butter in a dutch oven until hot and bubbly. Add the diced onions and grated carrots with salt, then sauté for a full 8-10 minutes until they become soft and develop a beautiful golden color. This extended cooking time caramelizes the vegetables, building the essential flavor foundation for the entire dish.
Brown the Chicken:
Add the trimmed chicken thigh pieces with bay leaves, salt, and pepper to the vegetable mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure each piece gets golden on all sides. The chicken will release its juices, further enriching the flavor base.
Deglaze with Wine:
Increase the heat to high and pour in the white wine. Let it bubble vigorously while scraping the bottom of the pan to release all those flavorful browned bits. Continue until most of the wine has evaporated, concentrating its flavor into the dish.
Combine Rice and Broth:
Pour in the hot chicken broth followed by the unrinsed rice, stirring to distribute everything evenly. Using hot broth maintains the cooking temperature and helps the rice cook more evenly.
Add the Garlic Trick:
Place the prepared whole garlic head cut-side down into the center of the rice mixture. This unique technique allows gentle garlic flavor to infuse throughout the dish without becoming overwhelming. Bring everything to a rolling boil before reducing the heat.
Simmer to Perfection:
Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes without peeking. This creates the perfect steamy environment for the rice to absorb all the flavors while cooking to just the right texture.
Final Enrichment:
Remove from heat and take out the garlic head. Quickly stir in the remaining butter until completely melted and incorporated, then fold in the fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. This final step creates that signature creamy texture that makes this dish so special.
A bowl of rice with chicken and vegetables. Pin it
A bowl of rice with chicken and vegetables. | recipeown.com

The whole head of garlic is what makes this recipe truly unforgettable. The first time I made this, my children were skeptical about the "giant garlic" in the center, but now they fight over who gets to squeeze out the softened cloves. The garlic becomes buttery soft and sweet, completely losing its sharp edge.

Make-Ahead Options

This chicken and rice dish actually improves with time as the flavors continue to meld. You can prepare it up to two days ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to restore the creamy texture, and warm gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Rice Variations

While medium grain or Jasmine rice creates the ideal texture, several readers have successfully used brown rice with adjusted cooking times. Brown rice requires approximately 45 minutes of simmering instead of 15, but delivers extra nutrition and a pleasant nutty flavor. For a quicker alternative with whole grain benefits, instant brown rice works well with the original timing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this creamy chicken and rice with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness. For an extra special touch, offer additional freshly grated Parmesan and a pepper grinder at the table. A glass of the same white wine used in cooking makes the perfect beverage pairing to complete the meal.

Cultural Context

This dish beautifully bridges multiple culinary traditions. The technique of cooking meat and rice together in one pot appears in countless cultures from Spanish paella to Middle Eastern plov. The addition of Parmesan and white wine brings Italian risotto influences, while the whole garlic head infusion is a classic French technique. The result is a truly international comfort food that feels both familiar and special.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of rice?

Yes, you can use brown rice, but it will take longer to cook, around 45 minutes instead of 15. Instant brown rice can also be used, and it cooks in the same amount of time as regular rice.

→ What wine works best for this dish?

A dry white wine such as Chardonnay works best. It adds depth to the flavor of the dish, but you can skip it if preferred.

→ Can this dish be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare it in advance. Keep the lid on to retain warmth, and reheat gently on the stove when ready to serve.

→ How can I make this dish more creamy?

For an extra creamy texture, you can stir in a bit more butter or an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving.

→ What can I use as a garnish?

Fresh parsley and additional shredded parmesan cheese make excellent garnishes for this dish, adding both flavor and presentation.

Creamy Chicken Rice Dish

One-pot creamy chicken and rice with tender, flavorful chicken and hearty, rich ingredients.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Haya

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: European

Yield: 10 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1/4 cup olive oil
02 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
03 1 medium onion, finely diced
04 2 large carrots, grated or cut into matchsticks
05 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
06 2 tsp sea salt, divided
07 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 2 bay leaves (optional)
09 1 cup dry white wine, such as Chardonnay
10 5 cups hot low sodium chicken broth
11 2 cups medium grain rice or Jasmine rice, un-rinsed
12 1 head garlic
13 1/3 cup Italian parsley, finely chopped
14 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Instructions

Step 01

Using a dutch oven or heavy-bottom pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 Tbsp unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and hot, add diced onion, grated carrots, and 1 tsp salt. Sauté until soft and golden, around 8-10 minutes.

Step 02

Add chopped chicken thighs, 2 bay leaves, another 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden on all sides (about 5 minutes).

Step 03

Increase heat to high and pour in 1 cup of white wine. Boil down the liquid, scraping the bottom of the pot with a spoon, until most of the wine has evaporated.

Step 04

Pour in the hot chicken broth and stir in the rice. Without separating the garlic cloves, slice the end off the garlic head to expose the cloves. Place the garlic head into the center of the rice, cut side down.

Step 05

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked.

Step 06

Turn off the heat and remove the garlic head. Optionally, push the garlic cloves out into the rice or discard it. Stir in the remaining 2 Tbsp butter, then add the chopped parsley and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix until creamy. Serve immediately or keep warm with the lid on. Garnish with more parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  1. You can substitute Jasmine rice with brown rice for a healthier option, but it takes about 45 minutes to cook.
  2. Instant brown rice can be used as a time-saving alternative, requiring the same cooking time as Jasmine rice.

Tools You'll Need

  • Dutch oven or heavy-bottom pot with tight-fitting lid
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Grater (optional, for carrots)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter, Parmesan cheese)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 385
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~