Some nights beg for a soft plate of childhood and Easy Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice hits that craving right in the ribs. It’s giving gravy-meets-hug, and suddenly everyone’s rediscovering this cozy classic on Pinterest dinner boards.
This is comfort food with a shortcut halo. Juicy chicken breasts, canned cream of chicken, and rice soak up alllll the goodness. It’s a “no thinking, just stirring” kind of deal one of our favorite quick meals with rice and pantry stuff. Full details in the blog!
We made this after a late soccer practice, with cranky kids and zero patience. But dang, it turned out delicious. It’s one of those easy home cooked meals dinners that doesn’t fuss back. I tested it. You’ll love the secret I stirred in!
Why You’ll Love It
Ridiculously cozy: This dish combines juicy chicken, creamy sauce, and tender rice, giving you that warm “home-cooked hug” feel.
Beginner-friendly: No fancy skills here just seasoning, stirring, and a few simple steps to an impressive meal.
Perfect for busy nights: With a total time of 45 minutes, this is one of those quick meals with rice you can count on after a long day.
Flexible for serving sizes: Whether you’re cooking for three or need easy supper for two, you can adjust portions easily.
Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s everything you need for this dish, broken down for simplicity:
Pro Tip: Use what you have! Need to stretch the cheese? Stick with just Parmesan for that salty kick, or swap cheddar with a mild shredded mix.
How It Comes Together (Step-by-Step)
Sear the chicken: Season the breasts with your spices, then give them a golden crust on a hot skillet. This locks in juices and adds flavor.
Simmer the rice: Cook rice in chicken broth for max flavor. It’s a little low-effort chef hack for delicious rice every single time.
Create the sauce: Melt butter, mix in flour (hello, roux), and whisk slowly with milk and broth until silky. Add in the cheeses to create that creamy magic.
Combine: Nestle your seared chicken back into the pan of sauce, smother it, and let everything simmer to cozy perfection.
Serve: Spoon that luscious sauce over a bed of rice and garnish with parsley for a touch of brightness.
Pro Tip: Let the chicken finish cooking in the sauce it makes the meat tender while packing it with flavor.
Quick Timing Chart
Step
Time
Prep chicken
5 minutes
Sear chicken
8-10 minutes
Cook rice
15-18 minutes
Make sauce
5-7 minutes
Simmer chicken in sauce
10 minutes
Troubleshooting & Substitution Ideas
Is your sauce too runny? Keep whisking the heat and flour will thicken it. If it’s really stubborn, mix 1 teaspoon of flour with a splash of milk and slowly stir that in.
Rice a little mushy? Fluff it gently with a fork to let out some steam, but don’t stir too much that can make it stick together.
Need a swap?
Ingredient
Substitute
Chicken breasts
Thighs (juicier option but may need slightly more cooking time)
Whole milk
Half-and-half or 2% milk for a lighter version
Smoked paprika
Regular paprika or chili powder for a bit of a kick
Cheeses
Use one type (Parmesan or cheddar) or a pre-shredded cheese blend
Serving & Storage Tips
Serving: This is dinner that begs for a simple side. A salad or roasted green beans are perfect, but honestly, it’s hearty enough to fly solo.
Storing: Leftovers? Let everything cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if the sauce thickens up too much.
Storage Table
Condition
Timeframe
Refrigerated
Up to 3 days
Frozen (chicken and sauce only, no rice)
Up to 2 months
Note: Rice doesn’t freeze well, but extra sauce and chicken freeze beautifully for future throw-together meals!
Expert Insight: The Appeal of EASY CREAMY SMOTHERED CHICKEN AND RICE
This classic comfort dish shines because its creamy sauce balances well with tender chicken and fluffy rice, making it both satisfying and simple to prepare. The key to a rich texture lies in slow simmering, which allows flavors to meld naturally, ensuring every bite delivers warmth and depth without complexity.
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Mastering Easy Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice
This easy creamy smothered chicken and rice didn’t come together overnight. After several rounds of tweaking the sauce thickness and timing the rice just right, I finally nailed a version that’s cozy, comforting, and reliably deliciousa real win from all those little kitchen lessons.
Can I use canned cream of chicken soup for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using canned cream of chicken soup is a fantastic shortcut that makes this one of those perfect throw together meals. Simply substitute the homemade cream sauce with one can of cream of chicken soup mixed with about 1/2 cup of chicken broth for the right consistency. This swap keeps all the creamy comfort while cutting down on prep time significantly.
How long does this Easy Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice take to make?
This recipe takes about 45-55 minutes total, with most of that being hands-off simmering time. You’ll spend about 15 minutes on prep and browning the chicken, then let everything simmer together for 30-40 minutes until the rice is tender. It’s perfect for those weeknight dinners when you want something comforting without too much active cooking time.
Can I make this recipe for just two people?
Yes, this recipe scales down beautifully for an easy supper for 2! Simply halve all ingredients and use a smaller skillet or saucepan. You’ll get perfectly portioned servings with minimal leftovers. The cooking time stays roughly the same, just keep an eye on the liquid levels since smaller batches can reduce faster.
What type of rice works best for this dish?
Long-grain white rice like jasmine or basmati works perfectly for this creamy smothered chicken recipe. These varieties hold their shape well and absorb the flavors beautifully without becoming mushy. Avoid instant rice as it can get too soft, and brown rice would need longer cooking times that might overcook your chicken.
Can I prep this dish ahead of time for meal planning?
This dish is excellent for meal ideas for week planning! You can prep the chicken seasoning and chop vegetables up to 2 days ahead. The cooked dish keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheats beautifully with a splash of broth. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months, making it perfect for easy home cooked meals dinners throughout the month.
Wrapping It Up
Easy Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is that magic weeknight fix creamy, comforting, and ready in under an hour. You’ll love how the tender chicken soaks up all that cheesy, dreamy sauce with zero fuss. Perfect for those evenings when you want cozy without complicated.
Feel free to swap in your favorite cheeses or sneak in some veggies for color and crunch. Leftovers? They reheat like a dream, just like my grandma’s “save-for-second-day” wisdom. Trust me, this recipe is a keeper in your easy home cooked meals dinners lineup.
Give it a whirl and share your tweaks or photos with us! Did this one bring you right back to a comforting dinner table? Spread the lovesend it to a friend who needs an easy supper for 2 (or 3!). Cozy dinners, happy hearts. You got this!
Enjoy this easy creamy smothered chicken and rice recipe perfect for quick meals with rice. A comforting and flavorful southern dish featuring tender chicken in a creamy sauce alongside perfectly cooked rice. Great for canned cream of chicken recipes and ideal for easy home cooked meals dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
½ cup chicken broth
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon thyme
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth and salt to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until tender and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
Gradually add the milk and chicken broth, whisking constantly to create a smooth sauce. Stir in garlic powder, thyme, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and the cheese is melted.
Combine Everything: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Serve: Plate the cooked rice and top with the smothered chicken and sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
