Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Cheesy Rice Skillet Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Cheesy Rice Skillet is a comforting one-pan meal packed with tender chicken breast, rich garlic butter flavor, and a luscious blend of cheeses. The creamy and cheesy rice perfectly complements the savory, seasoned chicken, making it a deliciously satisfying dish for any night of the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Cooking Base
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Rice & Dairy
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until golden and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add minced garlic. Cook just until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Toast the Rice: Add the uncooked rice directly into the skillet, stirring constantly for about a minute so it absorbs the garlic butter flavor evenly.
- Simmer Rice: Pour in the chicken broth, stir to combine, and bring to a light boil. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the rice simmer until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 15–20 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Rice: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir it into the rice mixture.
- Add Cream and Cream Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Melt the Cheese: Add shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheeses fully melt and thicken the creamy rice and chicken.
- Season and Finish: Sprinkle in garlic powder and give everything a final stir. Let the dish cook for another minute to meld all the flavors together.
- Serve: Serve hot while the dish is creamy, cheesy, and rich with garlic butter goodness.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor, but garlic powder helps boost the garlicky taste in the final dish.
- Ensuring the chicken pieces are bite-sized helps them cook quickly and evenly.
- You can substitute mozzarella with provolone or Monterey Jack for a different cheesy twist.
- Covering the skillet while the rice simmers is crucial for proper even cooking and absorption.
- This dish reheats well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.