Description
Cheesy Garlic Chicken and Rice Bake with Parmesan Cream Sauce comes together as your ultimate comfort dinner, packed with creamy goodness and satisfying flavors. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and perfectly seasoned rice make this one-pan meal a total winner for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
Base and Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Crank your oven to a toasty 375°F and grab a 9×13 inch baking dish for prepping.
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then toss in 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing until their aroma fills your kitchen.
- Drop 1 pound of diced chicken breast into the skillet, seasoning with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, plus a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Brown the chicken for 5-6 minutes until edges turn golden.
- Whisk 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup chicken broth, and 1 cup grated parmesan in a separate bowl until the mixture looks silky and smooth.
- Spread 2 cups of cooked rice across the bottom of your baking dish, then layer the seasoned chicken on top.
- Pour the creamy parmesan mixture evenly over the chicken and rice, making sure every bit gets coated.
- Sprinkle ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese across the top, covering the surface generously.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese turns golden and starts bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors settle and sauce thicken.
Notes
- Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa to boost nutrition and add a nutty flavor.
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor without extra cooking.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 567 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg