Introduction

Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice is a comforting, hearty dish that combines tender chicken thighs or breasts with a rich, flavorful sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is easy to follow and creates a satisfying meal you can enjoy any day of the week.

Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice Recipe - Recipe Image

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 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: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until they are soft, fragrant, and lightly golden.
Step 4: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic. Stir well to form a paste and cook for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
Step 5: Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce, then let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly.
Step 6: Return the browned chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon additional sauce over the chicken and simmer on low heat 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 with extra sauce and garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.

Tips & Variations

For a lighter option, replace heavy cream with evaporated milk or half-and-half.
Swap chicken for turkey, pork chops, or tofu to vary the protein.
Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, peas, or carrots for extra nutrition and color.
Use leftover rice to reduce waste and speed up meal prep.
Cook the entire dish in one pan to save time and minimize cleanup.

Storage

Store leftover creamy smothered chicken and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce becomes too thick. This dish also freezes well for longer storage.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this without cream?

Yes! Use regular milk and add 1–2 teaspoons of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. This keeps the dish creamy without using heavy cream.

Can I add vegetables to the dish?

Absolutely. Adding vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, peas, carrots, or zucchini works well and boosts the flavor and nutrition.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, it reheats beautifully and stays creamy for several days, making it ideal for batch cooking and meal prep.

Can I bake the chicken instead of searing?

You can bake the chicken separately and then add it to the sauce at the end. This method works well if you prefer baking over stovetop cooking.

Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 59 reviews

This Creamy Smothered Chicken & Rice recipe offers a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with smoky paprika and Italian herbs. Served over fluffy white or brown rice and garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a perfect easy dinner that’s both hearty and satisfying.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

1 ½ lbs (700 g) chicken thighs or breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauce and Cooking

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

Serving

Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Season the chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season generously on all sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning to infuse it with bold flavors.
Sear to perfection: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on both sides until golden but not fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook them over medium heat until soft, fragrant, and lightly golden, creating the flavor base for the sauce.
Build the roux: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the onions and garlic. Stir continuously to form a paste and cook for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
Add liquids: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Then add the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and Worcestershire sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
Return the chicken: Nestle the browned chicken back into the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 10–15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
Serve: Spoon the creamy smothered chicken along with sauce over warm cooked rice. Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright finishing touch and serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth if the sauce thickens too much.
Serving Ideas: Pair with roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Substitutions: Substitute chicken with turkey, pork chops, or tofu for a variation. Use evaporated milk instead of cream for a lighter sauce.
Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the chicken and sauce in advance and refrigerate separately or combined with rice. Flavors deepen when reheated.
Eco-Friendly Kitchen Hacks: Use leftover rice and turn vegetable scraps into broth to reduce waste. Cook in one pan to save energy and cleanup time.
Adding Vegetables: Spinach, mushrooms, peas, carrots, or zucchini can be added for extra nutrition and flavor.
Without Cream: Use regular milk with 1-2 teaspoons cornstarch as a thickener if cream isn’t available.

Keywords: creamy chicken, smothered chicken, chicken and rice, comfort food, easy dinner