Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice

This creamy garlic chicken with rice is a comforting dinner that feels indulgent without demanding much effort. Tender chicken simmers in a silky garlic cream sauce while resting on a bed of buttery rice that absorbs every bit of that luscious flavor. Roasted broccoli adds a touch of crispness and natural sweetness, making each bite satisfyingly balanced. Perfect for busy weeknights, this meal showcases classic Southernstyle comfort with straightforward techniques and familiar ingredients.

I first made this dish on a chilly autumn night and my family went crazy for it right away. It has since become a goto when I want something cozy, impressive, and quick without any fuss.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts or thighs: depending on preference for leaner meat or juicier flavor
• Olive oil: for searing choose extra virgin to enhance taste
• Butter: adds richness and gives the sauce its creamy texture use unsalted for better seasoning control
• Fresh garlic: minced for bright aromatic flavor that preminced just can’t match
• Heavy cream: creates the sauce’s luscious base choose a high quality brand for best creaminess
• Chicken broth: adds savory depth to both sauce and rice use homemade or low sodium if possible
• Parmesan cheese: grated lends nutty salty notes to the sauce freshly grated is best
• Dried thyme or Italian seasoning: layers flavor in the chicken and sauce
• Long grain white rice: cooks fluffy and absorbs sauce nicely
• Broccoli florets: roasting brings out sweetness and preserves texture look for bright firm crowns
• Salt and black pepper: essential seasonings to bring everything together
• Fresh parsley: for garnish adds a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness

Instructions

Cook the Rice:

Begin by bringing two cups of chicken broth or water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in one cup of rice and a pinch of salt then immediately reduce heat to low and cover tightly. Let it simmer gently for fifteen minutes without lifting the lid so steam cooks the rice evenly. When done, remove from heat and stir in two tablespoons of butter to make the grains glossy and silky. This buttery rice will soak up the creamy sauce perfectly.

Roast the Broccoli:

While the rice cooks, preheat the oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Toss two cups of broccoli florets with one tablespoon of olive oil and a light sprinkle of salt and pepper until fully coated. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet for even roasting. Roast for about fifteen to eighteen minutes until tender and just starting to brown on the edges. Halfway through roasting, give the pan a shake to allow all pieces to cook evenly. Roasting draws out the broccoli’s natural sweetness and keeps it pleasantly crisp.

Cook the Chicken:

Pat chicken dry and season generously on both sides with salt black pepper and half a teaspoon of dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Heat two tablespoons olive oil and one tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and sear five to six minutes per side until golden and cooked through reaching one hundred sixty five degrees internally. Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest which helps keep it juicy. Do not crowd the pan or the chicken won’t brown nicely.

Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce:

In the same skillet, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add four cloves of minced garlic sauté for one to two minutes until fragrant but not browned. Pour in one cup heavy cream and half a cup chicken broth, then stir in a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to gently simmer for three to five minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens into a silky texture that will coat the chicken beautifully. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Combine and Serve:

Return chicken to the skillet and turn it in the creamy garlic sauce to coat each piece thoroughly. Let it sit a minute or two so the flavors meld. Serve the chicken over the buttered rice with the roasted broccoli alongside. Spoon some extra sauce over and garnish with fresh parsley for brightness and color.

One of my favorite elements is the creamy garlic sauce that is rich without feeling heavy giving the chicken a silky irresistible coating. I still remember the warm cozy scent that filled the house the first time I made this. It instantly made dinner feel special and welcoming.

Storage Tips

Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat gently warming the chicken and sauce, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce seems thick. You can also freeze cooked chicken and sauce together in an airtight container for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.

Ingredient Substitutions

For a dairy free version replace heavy cream with full fat coconut milk and butter with a plant based alternative. Nutritional yeast can mimic Parmesan’s cheesy note. Substitute brown rice or quinoa for white rice to increase fiber and nutrients. Frozen broccoli can stand in place of fresh but may need shorter roasting time.

Serving Suggestions

This meal pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to brighten flavors. Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce. A light white wine or herbal iced tea balances the richness wonderfully.

Serve family style and enjoy a cozy flavorful meal that comes together quickly. Leftovers reheat well for easy next day dinners.

Common Questions About the Recipe

→ Can components be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, chicken and rice can be cooked a few hours prior. Keep the sauce separate until serving to preserve its creamy texture.

→ What’s the ideal temperature and time to roast broccoli?

Roast broccoli at 400°F for 15–18 minutes until tender with lightly charred edges, shaking the pan halfway through for even cooking.

→ How to ensure chicken is tender and juicy?

Dry chicken thoroughly before seasoning, sear in a hot skillet without overcrowding, and let it rest briefly after cooking to retain juices.

→ Can the garlic cream sauce be thickened if needed?

Yes, simmer longer to reduce or whisk in a cornstarch slurry gently until desired thickness is reached.

→ Are there alternatives to the buttered white rice?

Try brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for variations, adjusting cooking times as needed for each.

→ How to enhance the flavor of the garlic cream sauce?

Use freshly minced garlic, a touch of freshly ground black pepper, and add Parmesan cheese just before serving for a cheesy finish.