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Easy One-Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice

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A comforting one-pot meal featuring juicy chicken thighs and tender Arborio rice in a velvety garlic parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe requires minimal cleanup and delivers maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, place the chicken thighs in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot. Once melted, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  3. Add 1 cup of Arborio rice to the pot. Stir for 1-2 minutes until the grains look slightly translucent at the edges.
  4. Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Add 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the pot, pushing them down so they are mostly submerged. Pour in any juices from the plate. Cover the pot with the lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook undisturbed for 20 minutes.
  6. After 20 minutes, remove the lid. The rice should be tender and the chicken should be cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Turn off the heat. Sprinkle 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan over the top. Stir gently to incorporate. The mixture will look loose but will thicken as it rests.
  7. Let the pot sit uncovered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve.

Notes

Don’t skip the sear—it builds flavor. Use Arborio rice for the creamiest texture. Grate your own Parmesan for smooth melting. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken. If the rice is too dry after resting, stir in a splash of warm broth or milk. If too soupy, let it sit a few more minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, creamy garlic parmesan chicken and rice, easy weeknight dinner, chicken and rice, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-one-pot-creamy-garlic-parmesan-chicken-and-rice/