Craving a hearty, flavorful meal but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen? This chicken and garlic parmesan rice is the perfect solution. Bursting with savory garlic flavor and creamy Parmesan, it comes together in under an hour with simple ingredients. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions and tips for putting this filling dinner on your family’s table any night of the week.
Why Make Chicken and Rice?
Chicken and rice is a versatile base for countless easy recipes. This protein and grain combo stretches expensive ingredients like meat into an affordable, filling meal. It also reheats beautifully and works for meal prepping batches to enjoy throughout the week. Plus, you likely have everything you need for this simple 30-minute dinner already stocked in your pantry and freezer.
What Kind of Rice Should I Use?
For the fluffiest, most flavorful grains, jasmine or basmati rice is your best bet. These long grain white rices cook up light and distinct instead of sticky or gummy. The subtle floral aroma also pairs nicely with the garlic, Parmesan, and white wine. While regular long grain rice would work, the texture and taste won’t be quite as pleasing.
How to Make Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice
With just a few basic steps, you can pull together this restaurant-worthy meal at home any night of the week.
First, season chicken tenders with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pan fry until browned and cooked through before setting aside. Next, sauté minced garlic in the skillet with olive oil and butter. Deglaze with white wine, then stir in chicken broth and uncooked rice. Allow to gently simmer until tender. Remove from heat, mix in shredded Parmesan, then top with sautéed chicken and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
What Kind of Wine Should I Use?
A good rule of thumb is to cook with wine you’d also drink. Skip overpowering red wines or ultra-cheap cooking varieties, which tend to be high in sodium. Instead, grab an affordable but drinkable white like Pinot Grigio. This crisp, dry wine adds a touch of acid without overpowering the other flavors. Its lemony-lime notes also balance beautifully with the garlic, cheese, and chicken.
Best Non-Alcoholic Substitutes for Wine in Cooking
If you’d rather keep this meal alcohol-free, chicken or vegetable broth makes an easy 1:1 swap. For a more nuanced flavor, mix broth with a splash of lemon juice or white wine vinegar. Just start with 1 tablespoon vinegar per cup of stock, adding more to taste. The bright acid mimics wine without quite as much complexity. But the end result will still be an amazing chicken garlic Parmesan rice dinner the whole family can enjoy together.
Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
- Chicken tenders, 1 lb.
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
- Butter, 1/2 cup (1 stick)
- Minced garlic, 2 tablespoons
- Dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio), 1/2 cup
- Uncooked white rice, 1 1/2 cups
- Chicken broth, 3 cups
- Grated or shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup
- Garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon
- Red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt, divided into two 1/2 teaspoons
- Freshly ground black pepper
Cooking Instructions:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken tenders with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sauté until they’re nicely browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Sauté the garlic for a few minutes on medium heat.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and pour in the white wine. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reserve 3 tablespoons of this pan sauce for later use.
- Add the uncooked rice to the skillet, ensuring it’s fully coated with the remaining butter sauce. Pour in the chicken broth and add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the rice and place the chicken tenders on top. Cover the skillet, remove it from the heat, and let it stand for 5 minutes.
- To serve, drizzle the reserved pan sauce over the chicken tenders and garnish with parsley if desired.
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice recipe offers a harmonious blend of flavors, making it a perfect choice for a hearty family meal or a special occasion. Each bite promises a burst of garlic and cheese, paired with the succulent texture of chicken, all complemented by the richness of the wine-infused sauce.
