Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice

If you're looking for a simple yet incredibly tasty meal, chicken with garlic parmesan rice is a must-try. This dish brings together tender chicken thighs with creamy garlic parmesan rice, all cooked in one pot for easy preparation and cleanup.

Today, I want to share another simple one-pot meal that's ideal for busy weeknights. It's hearty, economical, and guaranteed to please everyone! This recipe draws inspiration from other rice dishes on my site like chicken and chorizo rice, chicken and saffron rice, Dutch oven chicken and rice, and Mexican beef and rice skillet. It pairs perfectly with roasted frozen vegetables, roasted asparagus, or roasted yellow squash with parmesan cheese on the side.

Let's get started!

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Why You'll Love this Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe:
Ingredients:
How to Make Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice:
Cooking Tips:
FAQs:
Storage:
How to Reheat Leftover Chicken and Garlic Parmesan Rice:
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Why You'll Love this Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe:

Here are a few reasons why this garlic parmesan rice and chicken recipe is so effective:

Easy to make. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don't need fancy culinary skills or hours in the kitchen to whip up a satisfying meal. With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have dinner on the table in no time.
Flavor Explosion. The star of this dish is the garlic parmesan rice. It's cooked to perfection- not too wet and not too dry, just the way you like it. The rice absorbs all the flavors from garlic and butter, creating a rich, buttery taste that complements the savory chicken thighs.
Tender chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are used for this recipe because they stay juicy and tender during cooking. As they simmer alongside the rice, they soak up the garlic and parmesan flavors, making every bite flavorful and satisfying.
Complex Parmesan Flavor. The addition of parmesan cheese adds depth and complexity to the dish. It melts into the rice, providing a creamy texture and a nutty, salty taste that enhances the overall flavor profile.

Ingredients:

Here's what you'll need to prepare garlic parmesan chicken with rice:

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: These are used because they cook quickly and remain tender and juicy. They absorb flavors well, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Long grain rice (such as jasmine rice): Provides a light and fluffy texture when cooked. It serves as the base of the dish and absorbs the flavors of the garlic, chicken broth, and parmesan.
Fresh garlic for the rice, and garlic powder for seasoning the chicken: Fresh garlic adds aromatic flavor to the rice, while garlic powder enhances the seasoning of the chicken, ensuring a robust garlic taste throughout.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Acts as the cooking liquid for the rice, infusing it with savory chicken flavor. It also helps to cook the rice to a perfect, fluffy consistency.
Dried thyme: Adds herbal notes and complements the garlic and parmesan flavors in the dish.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning both the chicken and the rice, ensuring balanced flavors throughout the dish.
Oil and butter: Used for cooking the chicken and sautéing the rice and garlic. Butter adds richness and flavor, while oil helps achieve a nice sear on the chicken.
Grated parmesan cheese and a parmesan rind: Parmesan cheese enriches the rice with its nutty and salty flavor, while the parmesan rind infuses the rice with additional depth of flavor as it simmers.
Green Onion: It is used solely for serving purposes, adding a fresh and mild onion flavor as a garnish to the finished dish. It provides a vibrant contrast and additional texture to the garlic parmesan chicken with rice.

How to Make Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice:

Once you have all your ingredients ready, follow these steps to create the perfect garlic parmesan rice with chicken:

Step 1: Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 2: Heat olive oil over medium heat and cook the chicken until just cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.

Add butter and garlic to the skillet, stirring until fragrant.

Step 3: Add butter and garlic to the skillet, stirring until fragrant.

Step 4: Deglaze the skillet with white wine, cooking until it reduces by half, about 3-5 minutes over medium-high heat.

Step 5: Add the rice, stirring to coat, then spread it evenly across the skillet. Add broth, parmesan rind, thyme, and nestle chicken on top.

Step 6: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

Step 7: Open the lid.

Step 8: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the rice. Close the lid and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

This method ensures each component absorbs the flavors while cooking together, resulting in a deliciously aromatic and satisfying meal.

Cooking Tips:

Here are some helpful tips for preparing garlic parmesan chicken with rice:

Prep Ahead: Have all your ingredients measured and prepared before you start cooking to streamline the process.
Skillet Choice: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet, such as a Dutch oven. Aim for an 11-inch size, which is ideal-large enough to comfortably fit all ingredients without crowding, ensuring even cooking and flavor distribution.
Pot with Tight Lid: Ensure the pot you use for cooking has a tight-fitting lid. This helps to trap steam during cooking, ensuring the rice cooks evenly and stays moist.
Searing: When cooking the chicken, ensure the skillet is hot enough to achieve a golden sear on the outside without overcooking the meat.
Deglazing: Use white wine to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the pan. This not only adds depth to the dish but also prevents burning and enhances the overall flavor profile.
Rice Layering: Spread the rice evenly in the skillet and nestle the chicken on top before adding the broth. This ensures even cooking and flavor distribution.
Cooking Time: Maintain a gentle simmer once the rice is covered to ensure it cooks evenly without burning or sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
Resting Time: Let the rice rest after cooking and adding grated parmesan cheese. This allows the flavors to meld and the rice to absorb any remaining liquid.

FAQs:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts if you prefer. Just be mindful that chicken breasts may cook faster than thighs, so adjust cooking times accordingly to avoid overcooking.

Can I use a different type of rice?

While long grain rice like jasmine is recommended for its texture and flavor absorption, you can experiment with other types such as basmati or even brown rice. Adjust the cooking time and liquid amount as needed according to the rice type.

Can I substitute the white wine with something else?

Yes, if you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth or vegetable broth. The wine adds depth to the dish, but broth can also enhance flavors.

How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the skillet?

Make sure to use a heavy-bottomed skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Also, avoid stirring the rice once you've added the broth and covered it to cook. This helps the rice cook evenly without sticking.

How can I make this dish vegetarian?

You can omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Increase the amount of garlic and add vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or spinach to enhance flavor and texture.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the rice if needed.

What should I serve with garlic parmesan chicken and rice?

This dish is hearty on its own, but you can serve it with a side salad, steamed vegetables, or crusty bread to complete the meal.

What can I do with the leftover parmesan rind?

The parmesan rind adds flavor while simmering the rice. You can remove it before serving or chop it into small pieces and stir it into rice for added richness.

How can I adjust the seasoning to my taste?

Taste and adjust the seasoning as you go. You can add more salt, pepper, or garlic powder to suit your preferences before serving.

Storage:

Here's how to store leftover garlic parmesan chicken with rice to maintain its flavor and quality:

Cooling Down: Allow the dish to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent bacterial growth.
Transfer to Containers: Place leftovers in airtight containers or resealable bags. Make sure to use containers that are suitable for freezing if you plan to freeze them.
Labeling and Dating: Label the containers with the date and contents for easy identification. This helps you keep track of how long the leftovers have been stored.
Refrigeration: Store leftover garlic parmesan chicken with rice in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Ensure the refrigerator temperature is set at 40°F (4°C) or below to maintain food safety.
Freezing (Optional): If you want to freeze the leftovers, do so within 2 hours of cooking. Place the cooled leftovers in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen leftovers can be stored for 1-2 months.

For additional food safety guidance, please visit this website.

How to Reheat Leftover Chicken and Garlic Parmesan Rice:

To reheat, thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the refrigerator if necessary. Reheat gently in the microwave, stirring occasionally, or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out. Ensure leftovers are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.

I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don't mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a ★★★★★ rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.