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Easy One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice

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A quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken breasts cooked with buttery garlic rice, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (190 grams)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (480 ml)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Chopped parsley or thyme for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients (5 minutes): Mince the garlic, finely chop the onion, and pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
  2. Brown the Chicken (8-10 minutes): Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a 12-inch heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics (3 minutes): Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir frequently until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add Rice and Broth (2 minutes): Pour in uncooked rice and stir to coat with butter and aromatics. Add chicken broth and scrape browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Simmer Covered (20-25 minutes): Nestle seared chicken breasts on top of the rice. Cover skillet with lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently until rice is tender and chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), about 20-25 minutes.
  6. Rest and Garnish (5 minutes): Remove skillet from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or thyme before serving.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked through. If rice is still crunchy after cooking, add a splash of broth or water and cook a few minutes longer. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil. Adding vegetables like peas or bell peppers in the last 5-10 minutes adds nutrition and color.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan, garlic butter chicken, chicken and rice, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, skillet chicken, comfort food

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/easy-one-pan-garlic-butter-chicken-and-rice-recipe-for-quick-dinners/