Description

This One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken & Rice is the perfect weeknight meal—quick, hearty, and packed with flavor. Tender chicken is simmered in a creamy, cheesy Parmesan sauce, while the rice absorbs all the delicious flavors in the same pan. With minimal prep and just one skillet, this recipe makes both cooking and cleanup effortless. It’s a family-friendly dish that delivers comfort and restaurant-quality taste in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika

For the Rice & Sauce:

2 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
2 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For Garnish:

Fresh parsley, chopped
Extra grated Parmesan
Freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

1. Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.
Season chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside (it will finish cooking later).

2. Sauté Aromatics & Toast the Rice

In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions for 2 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the rice and toast for 2 minutes, coating it with the butter and aromatics.

3. Simmer the Rice

Pour in the chicken broth and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
Place the seared chicken back into the pan on top of the rice.
Cover, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

4. Make It Creamy

Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, and Monterey Jack cheese (if using).
Let the cheese melt and the sauce thicken for 2-3 minutes. If needed, add a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

5. Serve & Garnish

Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and cracked black pepper.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Rice Type: Long-grain white rice works best, but jasmine or basmati can be used with slight liquid adjustments. Avoid short-grain rice, which can become mushy.
Cheese Options: Swap Parmesan with Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or Gruyère for different flavor profiles.
Make It Lighter: Substitute half-and-half or Greek yogurt for the heavy cream.
Add Vegetables: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, peas, or roasted bell peppers for extra nutrition.
Storage & Reheating: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth to keep it creamy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: One-Pan, Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 551 kcal
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 1082 mg
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 39g
Cholesterol: 115mg

Keywords: One-pan chicken, creamy Parmesan rice, easy chicken dinner, weeknight meal, cheesy rice