Description
Creamy Herb Chicken & Basmati Rice is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, cooked to perfection in a skillet. The chicken is served over perfectly cooked basmati rice infused with chicken broth and topped with a luscious creamy parmesan sauce, finished with a fresh blend of parsley, dill, and chives for an herby finish. This recipe is ideal for a hearty yet elegant dinner that blends creamy textures with vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Creamy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Herbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and paprika to build a robust herbaceous flavor base for the meat.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Toast the Rice: In the same skillet, add the basmati rice and toast it lightly for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, which enhances the rice’s nutty flavor.
- Simmer the Rice: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the rice simmer for 15-20 minutes until it is tender and all the liquid is absorbed.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: While the rice cooks, melt the butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and whisk continuously until heated through. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine and Coat: Once the rice is done cooking, stir the creamy parmesan sauce into the rice. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce generously over the chicken to coat it thoroughly.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley, dill, and chives over the chicken and rice to add fresh, aromatic herb notes that brighten the dish.
- Serve: Serve the creamy herb chicken and basmati rice hot and enjoy a flavorful and comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce but the texture will be less rich.
- Make sure to cover the rice properly while simmering to ensure even cooking and moisture retention.
- Fresh herbs provide the best flavor; however, dried herbs can be used if fresh are unavailable, adjusting quantities accordingly.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps retain its juices for a tender bite.
- For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the cream and butter with coconut cream and dairy-free butter alternatives.
