Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Rice recipe features tender, bite-sized chicken pieces cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce and served over creamy Parmesan-infused rice. It’s a comforting one-pan stovetop meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Rice & Broth
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder evenly to prepare them for cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter along with the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned, infusing the butter with flavor.
- Cook the rice: Add the long-grain white rice to the garlic butter in the skillet and stir it well to coat the rice grains evenly. Pour in the chicken broth, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer gently for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been fully absorbed.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Once the rice is cooked, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and creates a creamy texture throughout the rice.
- Combine chicken and rice: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the Parmesan rice, gently stir to combine everything thoroughly, and warm the mixture through over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side, if desired, for an extra zing.
Notes
- You can substitute white rice with brown rice, but you will need to increase both the cooking time and the amount of liquid accordingly.
- For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- To add more vegetables, stir in some fresh spinach or peas during the rice cooking step.
