Description
Creamy Herb Chicken & Basmati Rice – a rich, flavorful dish featuring juicy pan-seared chicken in a herb-infused cream sauce over fluffy basmati rice. Perfect for a cozy dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Creamy Herb Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp fresh basil (optional)
For the Basmati Rice:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
Instructions
- Cook the Basmati Rice
- Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a pot, bring water or chicken broth to a boil.
- Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes until fluffy.
- Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
- Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Herb Sauce
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Add Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, thyme, and basil.
- Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine and Serve
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top.
- Let it simmer for a few more minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Serve the creamy herb chicken over warm basmati rice and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Lighter Version: Use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan.
- Extra Veggies: Add mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce.
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
- Lemon Herb Chicken: Add a squeeze of lemon juice and zest for a fresh citrusy flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Creamy Herb Chicken, Basmati Rice, Chicken in Cream Sauce, Easy Chicken Recipe, Comfort Food