The Perfect Creamy Herb Chicken & Basmati Rice Recipe for Dinner

Crafting a delightful herb chicken alongside basmati rice brings pure comfort to your dinner table.

Fragrant herbs dance through tender meat, creating layers of unexpected flavor.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly in this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire each carefully measured component.

Fresh parsley and thyme complement the succulent chicken perfectly.

Minimal kitchen skills transform ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Savor every bite of this nourishing meal that promises to delight you.

Creamy Herb Chicken with Basmati Rice Bliss

• Savor Speedy Gourmet Cooking: This recipe transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal kitchen skills required, making professional-level dining accessible to home cooks.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Flexible ingredients allow easy substitutions like using different herbs, switching protein types, or adjusting spice levels to match personal taste preferences.
• Minimal Dishes, Maximum Flavor: One-skillet preparation means less cleanup and more enjoyment, perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want delicious food without extensive kitchen work.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Classic: Creamy, herb-infused sauce paired with perfectly cooked basmati rice creates a universally appealing dish that satisfies both adults and picky eaters, making mealtime stress-free.

Ingredients to Make Creamy Herb Chicken & Rice

• Basmati Rice: A fragrant long-grain rice that provides a light and fluffy foundation for the dish.
• Water or Broth: The liquid that helps cook and soften the rice perfectly.

• Chicken Breasts: Tender protein that serves as the main star of the recipe and absorbs the delicious herb flavors.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Thyme, Oregano: Aromatic spices that enhance the chicken's natural flavor and create a robust seasoning blend.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Rich ingredients that help sear the chicken and add depth to the overall taste.

• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that brings intense flavor to the creamy sauce.
• Chicken Broth: A savory liquid that helps deglaze the pan and create a flavorful base.
• Heavy Cream: A rich ingredient that provides a smooth and luxurious texture to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: A salty and nutty cheese that melts beautifully and adds complexity to the sauce.

• Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes: Herbs and spices that add warmth and complexity to the sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: A bright and fresh herb that adds color and a light, clean flavor to the finished dish.

How to Cook Creamy Herb Chicken & Basmati Rice

Step 1: Cook the Basmati Rice

Grab your basmati rice and give it a thorough rinse under cold water until the water becomes crystal clear. In a medium pot, bring water or broth to a rolling boil.

Toss in the rice along with a pinch of salt and a knob of butter. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes.

After cooking, remove from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Fluff the rice delicately with a fork, creating light and fluffy grains.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried thyme
• Dried oregano

Heat a skillet with a combination of olive oil and butter over medium heat. Carefully place the seasoned chicken in the pan and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust and cooks completely through.

Transfer the chicken to a nearby plate and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Herb Sauce

In the same skillet, add minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds.

• Heavy cream
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes

Allow the sauce to simmer for 2 minutes, then sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts into a smooth, luxurious sauce.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and let it simmer in the creamy sauce for 2-3 minutes, ensuring each piece is beautifully coated. Serve the chicken over the fluffy basmati rice and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Plate up this mouthwatering dish with a side of roasted vegetables or a crisp salad for a complete meal that’s sure to impress!

Tips for Perfect Creamy Herb Chicken and Rice

• Always wash basmati rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains that won't become sticky.
• Use a blend of dried herbs like thyme and oregano to create a deep, layered flavor profile that penetrates the chicken perfectly.
• Deglaze the pan with chicken broth after searing to capture all the delicious browned bits, adding incredible depth to your sauce.
• Simmer the sauce gently to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, velvety texture that coats the chicken beautifully.
• Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley just before serving to add a bright, fresh note that lifts the entire dish's flavor.

Variations on Herb Chicken & Basmati Rice

• Spicy Southwest Chicken: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, add diced green chilies to the sauce, and top with cilantro and shredded pepper jack cheese.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Swap Italian seasoning for za'atar spice blend, add kalamata olives to the sauce, and garnish with crumbled feta cheese.
• Coconut Curry Chicken: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk, mix in mild curry powder, and sprinkle toasted cashews on top for extra crunch.
• Lemon Garlic Chicken: Increase garlic, add fresh lemon zest and juice to the sauce, and garnish with chopped fresh dill for a bright, zesty flavor profile.

Ideal Pairings for Creamy Herb Chicken Dinner

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc with bright acidity that complements the creamy herb sauce and cuts through the richness of the chicken.
• Herbal Cocktail Companion: Mix a refreshing gin and tonic with fresh rosemary or thyme sprig, echoing the herb notes in the dish and providing a zesty palate cleanser.
• Perfect Side Salad Match: Craft a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan, which adds a tangy contrast to the creamy chicken and enhances the overall dining experience.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Beverage: Select a dry white Greek wine like Assyrtiko, whose mineral undertones and crisp profile beautifully balance the herb-infused creamy sauce.

Storage Suggestions for Herb Chicken & Rice

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining best flavor and texture.
• Transfer cooled chicken and rice to freezer-safe containers. Wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn. Remains good for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Place chicken and rice in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• What type of rice works best for this recipe?

Basmati rice is perfect because it has a delicate, fragrant flavor and long, slender grains that stay separate and fluffy when cooked. It provides an elegant base for the creamy herb chicken.

• Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes, dried herbs work well. Use about 1/3 of the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, use 1 teaspoon dried thyme.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken – the meat should be white throughout with no pink areas.

Creamy Herb Chicken & Basmati Rice Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Silky herb-infused Creamy Herb Chicken & Basmati Rice promises a Mediterranean-inspired culinary journey with fragrant spices and tender chicken. Rich layers of flavor blend seamlessly, inviting eager palates to savor each luxurious, comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 large chicken breasts (or 4 small)
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Liquids and Fats:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Basmati Rice foundation by thoroughly rinsing grains under cold water until liquid becomes transparent, eliminating excess starch.
2. Transfer rice to a simmering pot with water, introducing salt and butter for enhanced flavor profile, covering and allowing gentle cooking for approximately 15 minutes at medium-low temperature.
3. Remove rice from heat, keeping lid sealed for additional 5 minutes, then delicately separate grains using a fork to achieve fluffy texture.
4. Season chicken thoroughly with aromatic spice blend including salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Warm skillet with olive oil and butter combination, maintaining medium heat to create ideal searing environment.
6. Carefully place seasoned chicken into hot skillet, developing golden-brown exterior through 4-5 minute cooking on each side until protein reaches perfect doneness.
7. Extract chicken from pan, reserving for subsequent integration with sauce.
8. Introduce minced garlic to residual pan drippings, allowing brief 30-second aromatic release.
9. Deglaze skillet with chicken broth, systematically lifting caramelized fragments from cooking surface.
10. Incorporate heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, creating luxurious sauce base.
11. Reduce sauce for 2 minutes, then integrate Parmesan cheese until smoothly melted.
12. Reintroduce seared chicken to sauce, allowing 2-3 minute gentle simmer for flavor melding.
13. Plate chicken atop prepared basmati rice, generously draping with herbed cream sauce.
14. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately alongside roasted vegetables or crisp salad.

Notes

• Always rinse basmati rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains that won’t become sticky during cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing perfect doneness without overcooking.
• Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a lighter, healthier version that still maintains a creamy texture.
• Experiment with different herb combinations like fresh rosemary or tarragon to customize the sauce’s flavor profile and add personal flair.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 462 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 564 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg