Let me tell you about my family’s favorite weeknight lifesaver – this Chicken and Rice with Italian Seasoning! It’s the kind of meal that fills our kitchen with the most amazing herby, garlicky aroma while I’m chasing my kids around the house. One pot, 35 minutes, and boom – dinner’s ready with minimal cleanup (which, as any parent knows, is basically magic).
I’ve been making this dish since my oldest was a toddler, tweaking it here and there until we all agreed it was perfect. The Italian seasoning makes it feel fancy, but trust me – it’s as easy as browning some chicken and letting everything simmer together. Some of our best family conversations happen over bowls of this comforting meal, especially on those crazy evenings when we’re all running in different directions.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Rice with Italian Seasoning
This recipe has been a game-changer in my kitchen, and here’s why it’ll be in yours too:
- One-pot wonder – Less dishes means more time with your family (or your feet up!)
- Ready in 35 minutes – Perfect for those “what’s for dinner?” panic moments
- Pantry-friendly ingredients – I bet you’ve got most of these staples already
- Crowd-pleasing flavors – The Italian seasoning makes it feel special, while still being kid-friendly
- Comfort food upgrade – Way better than plain chicken and rice, thanks to that creamy parmesan finish
Honestly, this is the recipe I text to friends when they need a no-fail dinner idea. It’s that good!
Ingredients for Chicken and Rice with Italian Seasoning
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy one-pot wonder (I’ve organized it so you can grab things quickly while cooking!):
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces (thighs work too if you prefer darker meat)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil – my secret for getting that perfect golden sear
- 3 cloves minced garlic – fresh is best here, trust me!
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning, divided (we’ll use half now, half later)
- ½ tsp onion powder – adds depth without chopping onions
- Salt and pepper to taste (I use about ¾ tsp salt total)
- 2½ cups chicken broth – low-sodium lets you control the salt
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice (not instant!)
- ¾ cup heavy cream – makes it luxuriously creamy
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese – the real stuff, not the green can
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Italian seasoning: My homemade blend is 2 parts dried basil, 2 parts oregano, 1 part thyme, and 1 part rosemary – but store-bought works great too! Heavy cream can swap for half-and-half in a pinch (it’ll be slightly less rich). For dairy-free, try coconut milk and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan. And if you’re out of chicken broth? Water with an extra ½ tsp seasoning works – just taste as you go!
How to Make Chicken and Rice with Italian Seasoning
Okay, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens – turning simple ingredients into a comforting, flavor-packed meal. Follow these steps, and I promise you’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
- Prep the chicken: Dice those chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes). Toss them with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning – I just use my hands to really coat every piece. That seasoning will cling better if the chicken’s a bit dry, so pat it with a paper towel first if needed.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed – overcrowding steams instead of browns). Cook about 5 minutes until golden on all sides. Don’t worry about cooking through yet – we’ll finish it later. Remove to a plate (those browned bits left in the pan? Flavor gold!).
- Build the base: In that same pan (don’t wash it!), add the garlic and cook just 30 seconds until fragrant – any longer and it’ll burn. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up all those delicious browned bits with a wooden spoon (this is called deglazing, and it’s my favorite kitchen trick).
- Cook the rice: Stir in the uncooked rice and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. No peeking! The rice should absorb most of the liquid and be tender when done.
- Finish it off: Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream, parmesan, the remaining Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Return the chicken to the pan, season with salt and pepper to taste, and let everything mingle for 2 minutes. The sauce should be creamy but not soupy – if it’s too thick, add a splash more broth.
Tips for Perfect Chicken and Rice
Brown = flavor: Take time to properly brown the chicken – those caramelized bits make all the difference! Fresh garlic is non-negotiable for me (jarred just doesn’t compare). And here’s my secret: let it rest 5 minutes off heat before serving – the rice absorbs extra flavor. If your rice seems underdone, add 2 Tbsp broth and cook 5 more minutes covered. And whatever you do, resist stirring while it simmers – that makes rice gluey!
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35-Minute Chicken and Rice With Italian Seasoning
A simple and flavorful one-pot chicken and rice dish with Italian seasoning, perfect for a quick family dinner.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning, divided
- ½ tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add diced chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in chicken broth and uncooked rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Add the chicken, remaining Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Adjust seasoning to your preference.
- Serve hot for the best taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Serving Suggestions for Chicken and Rice with Italian Seasoning
This dish is a meal all by itself, but here’s how I like to take it to the next level on busy nights or when we have company:
- Garlic bread – Because nothing soaks up that creamy sauce better!
- Simple salad – A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly
- Roasted veggies – My kids will eat anything if it’s roasted – broccoli or asparagus work great
Right before serving, I always sprinkle on extra parmesan and some chopped fresh parsley – those little green flecks make it look fancy, and the fresh herb brightness is just *chef’s kiss*.
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers? Lucky you! This chicken and rice keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating, I always add a splash of chicken broth or water to bring back that creamy texture – microwaves can be ruthless to rice. Just stir it in as you heat, and it’ll be good as new. Pro tip: I don’t recommend freezing this one – the rice gets mushy when thawed. But honestly? In my house, we rarely have leftovers anyway!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (remember, estimates vary based on your specific ingredients!):
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 20g (8g saturated)
- Carbs: 35g
- Sodium: 600mg
Not too shabby for such a satisfying meal! The protein keeps you full, while that creamy parmesan makes it feel indulgent. I like to balance it with a big green salad on the side. If you want to see more of our family favorites, check out our recipe index!
FAQs About Chicken and Rice with Italian Seasoning
Can I use brown rice instead of white? Absolutely! Just increase the broth to 3 cups and cook time to 35-40 minutes. The texture will be chewier but still delicious – my health-conscious sister swears by this version.
Is this recipe gluten-free? Yes, as long as your chicken broth is GF (check the label!). All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this a great option for those with sensitivities.
Can I make this in a slow cooker? I’ve tried! Brown the chicken first, then add everything except cream and cheese. Cook on low 3-4 hours. Stir in dairy at the end – otherwise it might curdle. Honestly though? The stovetop version tastes better to me. For other easy slow cooker ideas, check out our Crockpot Lasagna Soup.
What if I don’t have heavy cream? Half-and-half works in a pinch (use 1 cup), or try evaporated milk for a lighter option. The sauce won’t be quite as rich, but still tasty!
Can I use frozen chicken? Thaw it first, friend! Frozen chicken releases too much water and makes the rice mushy. If you’re in a rush, thaw in cold water (change every 30 minutes) or microwave on defrost setting.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my family’s all-time favorite chicken and rice recipe that never fails to please. I’d love to hear how it turns out in your kitchen! Drop a comment below with your thoughts or tag me when you share your creations. Happy cooking, friends – may your pot always be full and your cleanup quick! You can also follow along with our latest kitchen adventures on Facebook!
