Creamy Herb Chicken & Basmati Rice
A delightful dish combining tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and fluffy basmati rice in a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice (rinsed)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken until it is golden brown on both sides, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and add minced garlic and diced onion. Sauté until soft and translucent.
Cooking the Rice
- Add the rinsed basmati rice, chicken broth, salt, and pepper to the pan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, and cook until the rice is tender and fluffy, about 15-20 minutes.
Making the Sauce
- Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried oregano, and grated Parmesan cheese to the sautéed onion and garlic.
- Simmer the sauce gently until it thickens slightly.
- Return the chicken to the pan and coat it with the creamy sauce, simmering for a few more minutes.
Serving
- Serve the chicken alongside the fluffy basmati rice, garnished with chopped parsley and optional lemon zest.
Notes
For added flavor, marinate chicken in herbs and spices before cooking. For a lighter sauce, use half & half instead of heavy cream. Feel free to add vegetables for extra nutrition.