Creamy Chicken over Rice or Noodles

Creamy Chicken over Rice or Noodles

Description

This dish is the ultimate comfort dinner — juicy chicken simmered in a luscious, herby cream sauce that hugs every grain of rice or noodle strand. It’s easy, creamy, and tastes like a warm hug in a bowl. Perfect for weeknights, family dinners, or even meal prep!

Ingredients**

For the Chicken:

• 2 ½ lbs (1.1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp paprika

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth (or stock)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional but adds depth)
• ½ tsp dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

To Serve:

• 4 cups cooked rice or 16 oz (450 g) egg noodles/pasta
• Extra Parmesan for topping

nstructions**

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown (about 4–5 minutes per side). Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
2. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a light roux (this thickens the sauce).
4. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Then add cream and milk, stirring constantly.
5. Season with thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
6. Bring to a gentle simmer for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 3: Combine and Simmer

1. Return seared chicken to the skillet.
2. Reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens beautifully.
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese and mozzarella (if using) until melted and creamy.

Step 4: Serve

• Spoon the creamy chicken and sauce generously over a bed of fluffy rice or warm noodles.
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
• Serve hot — with crusty bread or a green salad on the side for the perfect meal.

Tips & Variations**

• Add veggies: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Lighten it up: Use evaporated milk or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
• Make it cheesy: Add extra shredded cheese for a richer, gooier sauce.
• Slow cooker version: Add all ingredients (except cheese and cream) to your slow cooker and cook on low for 5–6 hours. Stir in cheese and cream before serving.

Serving Ideas**

• Over buttery egg noodles for a creamy, cozy texture.
• Over steamed rice for a comforting, hearty meal.
• Over mashed potatoes if you want it ultra-rich.
• With garlic bread to mop up all that delicious sauce!

Benefits**

• High-protein meal from the chicken.
• Calcium-rich from the cream and cheese.
• Comfort food that can be customized to fit any diet.
• Great for leftovers — tastes even better the next day!

Storage**

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
• Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
• Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months!

Description

This dish is the ultimate comfort dinner — juicy chicken simmered in a luscious, herby cream sauce that hugs every grain of rice or noodle strand. It’s easy, creamy, and tastes like a warm hug in a bowl. Perfect for weeknights, family dinners, or even meal prep!

Ingredients**

For the Chicken:

• 2 ½ lbs (1.1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp paprika

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth (or stock)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional but adds depth)
• ½ tsp dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

To Serve:

• 4 cups cooked rice or 16 oz (450 g) egg noodles/pasta
• Extra Parmesan for topping

nstructions**

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown (about 4–5 minutes per side). Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
2. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a light roux (this thickens the sauce).
4. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Then add cream and milk, stirring constantly.
5. Season with thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
6. Bring to a gentle simmer for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 3: Combine and Simmer

1. Return seared chicken to the skillet.
2. Reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens beautifully.
3. Stir in Parmesan cheese and mozzarella (if using) until melted and creamy.

Step 4: Serve

• Spoon the creamy chicken and sauce generously over a bed of fluffy rice or warm noodles.
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
• Serve hot — with crusty bread or a green salad on the side for the perfect meal.

Tips & Variations**

• Add veggies: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Lighten it up: Use evaporated milk or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
• Make it cheesy: Add extra shredded cheese for a richer, gooier sauce.
• Slow cooker version: Add all ingredients (except cheese and cream) to your slow cooker and cook on low for 5–6 hours. Stir in cheese and cream before serving.

Serving Ideas**

• Over buttery egg noodles for a creamy, cozy texture.
• Over steamed rice for a comforting, hearty meal.
• Over mashed potatoes if you want it ultra-rich.
• With garlic bread to mop up all that delicious sauce!

Benefits**

• High-protein meal from the chicken.
• Calcium-rich from the cream and cheese.
• Comfort food that can be customized to fit any diet.
• Great for leftovers — tastes even better the next day!

Storage**

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
• Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
• Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months!