When it comes to cozy, hearty meals, nothing beats a warm dish that brings bold flavors together with minimal effort. That’s why I’m so excited to share this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice recipe with you. This dish is a one-skillet marvel that combines tender chicken, buttery garlic sauce, perfectly cooked rice, and the richness of Parmesan cheese. It’s the kind of meal that warms your soul and leaves everyone at the table raving about your culinary skills.

Whether you’re preparing dinner for your family or looking to impress guests, this recipe is here to save the day. It’s simple, packed with flavor, and the cleanup is a breeze. Plus, you only need a handful of ingredients that are probably already sitting in your kitchen.

Let’s dive in and start creating this delicious masterpiece!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: Perfect for weeknights when you’re short on time.
• Packed with Flavor: Garlic, butter, and Parmesan are a match made in heaven.
• One-Skillet Magic: Less mess, fewer dishes, and all the flavors meld beautifully.

Getting Started: Preparing the Chicken

First things first, let’s talk about the star of the show—our chicken. For this recipe, we’re using chicken tenders because they cook quickly and stay juicy, but feel free to use chicken breasts or thighs if you prefer. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 lb. chicken tenders
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Step 1: Sauté the Chicken

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Let it warm up until it shimmers.
2. While the skillet is heating, season your chicken tenders generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Place the seasoned chicken in the skillet. Sear each side for about 4–5 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through.
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Don’t clean the pan—you’ll need all those delicious brown bits for the next step.

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Building the Flavor: Garlic Butter Sauce

Here’s where the magic really starts to happen. This garlic butter sauce is rich, fragrant, and the perfect base for cooking our rice.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• ½ cup butter
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ cup cooking white wine (optional, but it adds a depth of flavor!)

Step 2: Create the Sauce

1. Using the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter.
2. Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook for about 2–3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant, but be careful not to let it burn.
3. If using white wine, pour it in and increase the heat slightly. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce. This step intensifies the flavors and makes the sauce even more delicious.
4. Reserve about 3 tablespoons of the sauce for drizzling over the finished dish. Trust me, this little detail takes the dish to the next level.

The Perfect Rice Base

Now, let’s talk rice. It’s not just a sidekick here—it’s a co-star. Cooking the rice in the garlic butter sauce with chicken stock infuses every grain with mouthwatering flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 ½ cups white rice (uncooked)
• 3 cups chicken stock
• ½ teaspoon salt

Step 3: Cook the Rice

1. Add the uncooked rice to the skillet with the remaining garlic butter sauce. Stir well, ensuring every grain is coated with buttery goodness.
2. Pour in the chicken stock and sprinkle in the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine.
3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and let the rice simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
4. When the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, it’s ready for the final touches.

The Finishing Touches

With your chicken cooked, sauce prepared, and rice perfectly tender, it’s time to bring everything together in one glorious skillet.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Step 4: Assemble the Dish

1. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the cooked rice. The heat from the rice will melt the cheese, creating a creamy and flavorful layer.
2. Arrange the chicken tenders on top of the cheesy rice. Drizzle the reserved garlic butter sauce over the chicken for an extra burst of flavor.
3. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 5 minutes off the heat. This allows the flavors to meld and makes the dish even more delicious.
4. Garnish with chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy and serve hot.

If you’ve followed along so far, congratulations! You’re already well on your way to mastering this irresistible Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice dish. But wait—there’s more! In this section, I’ll share some tips to make sure your recipe turns out perfectly every time and explore some fun variations to mix things up.

Pro Tips for Recipe Success

Cooking is an art, and even simple dishes like this one can benefit from a few extra tips. These tricks will ensure your meal is as flavorful and fuss-free as possible.

1. Don’t Skip Searing the Chicken

Searing the chicken isn’t just about cooking it through—it’s about building flavor. The golden crust that develops on the chicken adds a delightful texture and richness that elevates the dish. Plus, the browned bits left behind in the pan will add depth to your garlic butter sauce.

2. Stir the Rice Occasionally

While simmering the rice, give it a gentle stir every 5–7 minutes. This helps to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensures even cooking. But don’t overdo it—constant stirring can break down the rice and make it mushy.

3. Use Freshly Grated Parmesan

Trust me, pre-grated Parmesan from a shaker bottle won’t do this dish justice. Freshly grated Parmesan melts beautifully and provides a more authentic, creamy texture. The difference in flavor is absolutely worth the extra effort.

4. Deglaze with White Wine

If you’re using white wine in the recipe, don’t skip the deglazing step. Scrape up those flavorful bits stuck to the bottom of the pan after cooking the chicken. This step infuses the sauce with incredible depth and gives the dish a restaurant-quality touch.

5. Let the Dish Rest Before Serving

After assembling the dish, let it sit covered for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together and the rice to absorb any remaining liquid, creating a cohesive and delicious meal.

Creative Variations to Try

One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. Here are some ways you can tweak the dish to suit your taste buds or accommodate what you have on hand.

1. Add Vegetables for a One-Pan Meal

Turn this into a complete one-pan dinner by adding veggies like broccoli, spinach, or green beans. Simply steam or sauté them separately and mix them in when you add the chicken back to the skillet.

2. Use Brown Rice for a Healthier Option

If you’re looking to make this dish a bit healthier, swap the white rice for brown rice. Keep in mind that brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and liquid accordingly.

3. Try Different Proteins

Not a fan of chicken tenders? No problem! This recipe works beautifully with shrimp, pork chops, or even tofu. Just adjust the cooking time to suit your protein of choice.

4. Spice It Up

For those who like a bit of heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can also sprinkle a little hot sauce over your plate before serving for an extra kick.

5. Make It Creamier

If you want to take the richness up a notch, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream to the rice right before adding the Parmesan cheese. It creates an even creamier, more indulgent dish.

6. Experiment with Cheese

Parmesan is classic, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Asiago, Pecorino Romano, or a blend of your favorites. Each one brings its own unique flavor to the dish.

7. Add Herbs for Freshness

While parsley is a great garnish, you can also mix fresh basil, thyme, or chives into the rice for a fresh and herby twist. This adds both flavor and a pop of color.

Perfect Pairings for Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice

This dish is pretty much a meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round out your dinner spread, here are some side dishes that complement it beautifully:

• A Crisp Green Salad: A fresh, tangy salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the chicken and rice.
• Garlic Bread: Yes, double the garlic! Warm, buttery garlic bread is perfect for scooping up every last bit of that sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables: Try roasted asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or zucchini to add a healthy, flavorful side.
• Wine Pairing: If you’re serving wine, go for a light white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These wines pair wonderfully with the buttery, garlicky flavors in the dish.

Whenever I share a recipe like this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice, I get some common questions from readers. To make your cooking experience seamless, I’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about this dish. Let’s dive in!

1. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Prepare the dish as instructed, but skip the final resting step. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to bring back the creamy texture.

2. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Absolutely. If you have leftover cooked chicken or a rotisserie chicken, shred or slice it and skip the chicken searing step. Add it back to the skillet after the rice is cooked, just before assembling the dish.

3. What type of rice works best for this recipe?

White long-grain rice is ideal because it cooks quickly and evenly. Avoid instant or parboiled rice, as they don’t absorb the flavors as well. If using brown rice or wild rice, adjust the cooking time and liquid as needed.

4. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, it’s easy to adapt for a gluten-free diet. Ensure your chicken stock and Parmesan cheese are certified gluten-free, and replace the cooking white wine with a splash of apple cider vinegar or extra chicken stock.

5. Is there a substitute for white wine?

If you don’t want to use white wine, you can replace it with equal parts chicken stock for a non-alcoholic option. Lemon juice (about 1–2 tablespoons) also works well, adding a bright, tangy flavor.

6. How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the skillet?

Stir the rice occasionally while it cooks, and make sure you’re using a nonstick skillet or a well-seasoned cast iron pan. If your skillet tends to stick, add a little extra olive oil or butter before cooking the rice.

7. Can I freeze this dish?

Yes! Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a skillet with a bit of chicken stock to revive the flavors.

Conclusion: A Meal You’ll Keep Coming Back To

And there you have it! This Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that’s as satisfying as it is easy to prepare. Whether you’re whipping it up on a busy weeknight or serving it to impress dinner guests, it’s a dish that delivers every single time.

I love how the flavors come together in a harmony of garlic, butter, and Parmesan, with perfectly cooked chicken and tender rice tying it all together. Not only is it a meal bursting with flavor, but it’s also versatile enough to customize to your preferences.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice

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• Author: David

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Description

This one-pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice recipe is a perfect combination of tender chicken, creamy rice, and bold garlic-Parmesan flavors. It’s easy to prepare and ideal for a comforting dinner that’s packed with flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb. chicken tenders
• 3 cups chicken stock
• ½ cup cooking white wine
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 ½ cups white rice (uncooked)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Season chicken tenders with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Sauté the chicken in the skillet until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.

2️⃣ Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.

Increase heat to medium-high, pour in white wine, and stir, allowing the sauce to reduce for about 5 minutes. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the sauce for later.

3️⃣ Cook the Rice

Add the uncooked rice to the skillet with the remaining butter sauce. Stir well to coat the rice.

Pour in chicken stock and the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and fully cooked.

4️⃣ Assemble the Dish

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over the rice.

Arrange the cooked chicken tenders on top of the rice.

Cover the skillet, remove it from the heat, and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5️⃣ Serve

Drizzle the reserved 3 tablespoons of pan sauce over the chicken.

Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

• Substitute for White Wine: If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with an equal amount of chicken stock and a splash of lemon juice for acidity.
• Cheese Options: Add a mix of Parmesan and Romano cheese for added flavor.
• Vegetable Add-Ins: Stir in cooked spinach, peas, or mushrooms for a wholesome touch.