Easy Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe Everyone Will Love

Comfort meets creativity in this mouthwatering smothered chicken and rice dish that promises pure culinary magic.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated hearty meals combining tender meat with creamy sauces.

Generations of home cooks perfected techniques blending rich flavors and simple ingredients.

Juicy chicken pieces nestle atop fluffy rice, creating a symphony of textures that dance across your plate.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment for anyone seeking a satisfying meal.

Layers of seasoning build depth and complexity without overwhelming delicate protein notes.

Warm up your skillet and let’s make something deliciously memorable that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Smothered Chicken And Rice Is So Comforting

• Elevate Home Cooking: Discover a One-Pan Wonder that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Searing chicken and creating a rich sauce in the same skillet locks in delectable taste profiles without complicated techniques.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: This hearty dish brings everyone together with its creamy texture, balanced seasonings, and satisfying combination of protein and rice.
• Smart Kitchen Efficiency: By using a single skillet and casserole dish, you'll minimize cleanup while maximizing culinary results, making meal preparation stress-free and enjoyable.

Smothered Chicken And Rice Ingredients List

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that serves as the main star of this comforting casserole dish.

• Long-Grain White Rice: A fluffy and light grain that creates a perfect foundation for the creamy sauce and chicken.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a golden sear on the chicken.
• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Combine to create a luxurious and creamy sauce that enhances the overall dish.
• Flour: Works as a thickening agent to give the sauce a smooth and velvety consistency.

• Onion, Celery, Green Bell Pepper, Garlic: Provide a classic mirepoix base that builds depth of flavor and adds subtle sweetness to the dish.

• Chicken Seasoning, Dried Thyme, Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper: Create a well-balanced and aromatic profile that elevates the entire casserole.

• Green Onions, Fresh Parsley: Add a pop of color and fresh, bright flavor to finish the dish.

• Non-Stick Cooking Spray, Aluminum Foil: Essential tools for preparing and cooking the casserole effectively.

How To Prepare Smothered Chicken And Rice

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray a large casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Season The Chicken

Coat chicken breasts completely with chicken seasoning, making sure every surface gets an even layer of flavor.

Step 3: Brown The Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt butter. Sear the chicken until it turns a beautiful golden brown, cooking about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Step 4: Set Aside The Chicken

Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a separate plate. Keep the delicious browned bits in the pan for extra flavor.

Step 5: Sauté The Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Chopped celery
• Minced garlic
• Sliced green bell peppers

Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are translucent.

Step 6: Create A Flavorful Roux

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously. Cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste and create a thick base.

Step 7: Make The Creamy Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream

Whisk constantly to create a smooth, lump-free sauce.

Step 8: Add Seasonings

• Dried thyme
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir to distribute the seasonings evenly throughout the sauce.

Step 9: Prepare The Rice Base

Spread long-grain white rice in the prepared casserole dish and pour the vegetable sauce mixture over the top.

Step 10: Arrange The Chicken

Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the rice and sauce, ensuring they are partially covered by the liquid.

Step 11: Bake The Casserole

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked, and the rice should be tender.

Step 12: Create A Golden Top

Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of cooking to allow the chicken to develop a slight brown crust.

Step 13: Let It Rest

After removing from the oven, let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes. This helps the sauce settle and makes serving easier.

Step 14: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle chopped green onions and fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Easy Cooking Tips For Smothered Chicken And Rice

• Select Quality Chicken: Choose fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size for even cooking and consistent texture.
• Prevent Rice Sticking: Spread rice evenly in the casserole dish and gently pour sauce over it to ensure uniform moisture and prevent clumping.
• Create Creamy Consistency: Whisk sauce slowly and steadily while adding liquids to avoid lumps and achieve a silky, smooth texture.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Use homemade chicken broth or low-sodium store-bought broth for richer, more complex flavor profile in the sauce.
• Master Browning Technique: Sear chicken on medium-high heat to develop golden-brown caramelization, which enhances overall taste and appearance of the dish.

Tasty Ideas For Smothered Chicken And Rice

• Gluten-Free Chicken Casserole: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to thicken the sauce and accommodate gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Rice: Swap chicken seasoning with oregano, rosemary, and za'atar spice blend for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Option: Substitute long-grain white rice with riced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrate content and create a lighter meal.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Casserole: Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and andouille sausage to introduce bold Cajun-style heat and complexity to the original recipe.

Great Pairings For Smothered Chicken And Rice

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Select a medium-bodied white wine with subtle oak notes that complements the creamy sauce and balances the rich chicken flavors.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Use thick slices to soak up the delicious sauce, adding textural contrast and enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Match with Roasted Asparagus: Prepare lightly seasoned asparagus spears as a green vegetable side that provides a fresh, slightly crisp counterpoint to the creamy casserole.
• Complement with Southern-Style Coleslaw: Add a tangy, crunchy slaw that cuts through the dish's richness and provides a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.

How To Keep Smothered Chicken And Rice Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and store for up to 2 months, preventing freezer burn by removing excess air.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, spread leftovers in a baking dish, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly.

Smothered Chicken And Rice FAQs

• What ingredients make this chicken dish unique?

This recipe combines chicken with a creamy sauce, using a blend of vegetables like onions, celery, and bell peppers that create a rich, flavorful base with depth and complexity.

• Is this considered a one-pot meal?

Yes, this is essentially a one-dish casserole that combines protein, rice, and sauce in a single baking dish, making preparation and cleanup easier.

• Can I use different types of rice?

Long-grain white rice works best for this recipe, as it absorbs the sauce well and maintains a fluffy texture during baking, but you could potentially substitute with jasmine or basmati rice.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, which ensures it’s safe to eat and remains juicy and tender.

Luxe Smothered Chicken And Rice Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Southern Smothered Chicken and Rice brings soul-warming comfort straight from Louisiana’s culinary traditions. Tender chicken nestled in rich, creamy gravy creates a luxurious meal you can savor down to the last comforting bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp chicken seasoning

Rice

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 3.5 cups chicken broth

Vegetable Base

• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced

Seasoning and Sauce

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Optional Garnish

• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Season chicken breasts thoroughly with chicken seasoning, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, leaving the browned bits in the pan for additional flavor.
5. In the same skillet, sauté diced onions, celery, garlic, and green bell peppers until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
6. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously to create a roux, cooking for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
7. Gradually pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth sauce.
8. Add dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the sauce, stirring to incorporate all seasonings evenly.
9. Place long-grain white rice in the prepared casserole dish, then pour the vegetable sauce mixture over the rice.
10. Arrange seared chicken breasts on top of the rice and sauce, ensuring they are partially submerged.
11. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked and rice is tender.
12. Remove foil during the last 10 minutes of cooking to allow the chicken to brown slightly.
13. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to allow sauce to settle.
14. Garnish with chopped green onions and fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• Swap chicken breasts with thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat that stays tender during baking.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that adds rich, creamy texture.
• Toast rice briefly before adding liquid to enhance nutty flavor and prevent mushiness during cooking.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and customize seasoning to personal taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg