Description
A delightful creamy dish combining chicken and garlic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breasts (boneless and skinless), chopped into small chunks
- 1 tablespoon plain butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 cups chicken stock or broth
- 4 minced cloves of garlic
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Zest from half a lemon and juice from one whole lemon
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice
- Chopped fresh parsley, about 1 tablespoon
- Extra lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Begin your culinary journey by heating up a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add in two tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of butter, allowing them to melt together, creating a lovely base for your chicken. As you prepare, sprinkle the chopped chicken with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and for those who enjoy a little heat, red pepper flakes. Place the seasoned chicken chunks into the hot skillet, cooking until they’re beautifully browned and thoroughly cooked – about 6-8 minutes. Once they’re perfectly done, set them aside on a plate while you turn down the heat.
- Lower the skillet heat to medium, and add the minced garlic to the residual oil and butter left in the pan. Sauté the garlic gently until it becomes fragrant, which should take about 30 seconds. The goal here is to extract maximum flavor without burning the garlic. Next, stir in the lemon zest and juice, letting this aromatic mixture essence meld together beautifully.
- Now it’s time to bring the rice into the mix. Add the 1½ cups of long-grain white rice to the skillet, stirring well to ensure that each grain gets coated in that delicious garlic-lemon mixture. Allow the rice to toast for about 1-2 minutes. This phase enhances the flavor significantly. Once toasted, pour in 3 cups of chicken stock or broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. After boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for approximately 18-20 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the precious liquid and become tender.
- When the rice is perfectly cooked, it’s time for the luxurious finishing touches. Gently stir in ½ cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese into the rice mixture. Keep mixing until everything is combined and smoothly creamy. This step not only makes the dish rich but also brings it all together into one delightful medley.
- To serve, place the creamy rice onto plates, topped generously with your sautéed chicken. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for that pop of color, and present extra lemon wedges on the side for anyone who desires more of that citrus zing. Enjoy your creation!
Notes
Feel free to customize with your favorite proteins or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Protein: 35 g