From the Kitchens of Amy & JJ

I was on the search for a new recipe. To be more specific, a new recipe that included rice! (Admittedly, we bought one of the BIG bags of rice from Costco… and now I might have rice until 2045!). I ran across this recipe from cuisinecove.com and the entire family enjoyed it!

Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice

For the Chicken:
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

For the Rice:
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Creamy Sauce:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS
1️ Season and cook 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.

2️ 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 or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

3️ Make the creamy 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.

4️ Smother the chicken:
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.

5️ Assemble and serve:
Plate the cooked rice and top with the smothered chicken and sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.