Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts smothered in a creamy, savory sauce with bell peppers, onions, and perfectly cooked long grain rice. This easy-to-make baked meal is ideal for a hearty weeknight dinner and serves six people.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup onions, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Liquids
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Cooking Oil
- 2 tbsp cooking oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts, then season evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and bell peppers, sautéing them gently until they are soft and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in the long grain rice with the sautéed vegetables, coating the grains well with the oil and vegetable mixture. Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
- Add Cream and Position Chicken: Stir in the heavy cream and garlic powder to the rice mixture. Evenly place the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture in the skillet or transfer to a baking dish if necessary.
- Bake Covered: Cover the skillet or baking dish tightly with a lid or foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook through while the rice absorbs the flavorful liquids and becomes tender.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove from the oven, discard the lid or foil, and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve the smothered chicken and creamy rice hot for a delicious, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use low-sodium broth to control the salt content; adjust seasoning at the end if needed.
- For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or parsley before baking.
- If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer ingredients to a baking dish before baking.
- Heavy cream creates the rich sauce, but you can substitute half-and-half for a lighter option.
- Ensure chicken breasts are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
