Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

Introduction

These easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce are a delicious weeknight meal that combines tender, flavorful chicken with fluffy rice and a rich, garlicky sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish feels special but is simple enough for busy cooks.

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups (400g) white rice, jasmine or basmati preferred
• 3½ cups (830ml) chicken broth, divided
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
• 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium pot, combine the rinsed rice, 3 cups of chicken broth, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, toss the chicken cubes in a large bowl with olive oil, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
3. Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Cook without disturbing for 3-4 minutes until golden, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and butter, whisking continuously for about 1 minute to cook the flour.
6. Step 6: Gradually whisk in the remaining ½ cup chicken broth to prevent lumps, then add the heavy cream while whisking. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Stir in the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce reaches a silky, creamy consistency.
8. Step 8: To serve, divide the rice among four bowls. Top with the cooked chicken pieces and generously drizzle with the creamy garlic sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips & Variations

• To get juicy, flavorful chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan and work in batches to sear each piece properly.
• Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to achieve fluffy, separate grains.
• For a Mediterranean twist, add sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, spinach, and top with crumbled feta cheese.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk for a lighter or dairy-free option.
• Swap white rice for brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice to boost nutrition.
• Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini along with the chicken for extra vegetables.

Storage

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken when chilled; reheat gently and add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it. Reheat in the microwave at 70% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between, or warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken, rice, and sauce separately up to 2 days in advance. Store each in separate containers in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before assembling the bowls.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Replace butter with olive oil or plant-based butter, use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and omit Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.

Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 80 reviews

These 30-minute chicken and rice bowls with creamy garlic sauce offer a delicious and comforting weeknight meal featuring tender seared chicken, fluffy jasmine or basmati rice, and a rich, velvety garlic sauce. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests without the fuss.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken and Rice:

• 1½ lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups (400g) white rice (jasmine or basmati preferred)
• 3½ cups (830ml) chicken broth, divided
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:

• 6 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
• 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Rice: Rinse 2 cups of rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Combine rinsed rice with 3 cups of chicken broth and a pinch of salt in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
2. Season and Cook the Chicken: While the rice cooks, toss chicken cubes in a large bowl with olive oil, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer without overcrowding (cook in batches if needed). Sear for 3-4 minutes without moving to develop a golden crust, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Transfer to a plate and cover loosely to keep warm.
3. Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce: Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds only until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness. Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and butter mixture, whisking continuously for about 1 minute to cook the flour and form a roux.
4. Finish the Sauce: Gradually whisk in the remaining ½ cup chicken broth to avoid lumps, then add the heavy cream while whisking. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes until silky and coats the back of a spoon.
5. Assemble the Bowls: Divide the fluffy rice evenly among four bowls. Top with the golden seared chicken pieces. Generously drizzle the creamy garlic sauce over the chicken and rice. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. Serve immediately with steamed or roasted vegetables on the side if desired.

Notes

• To prevent chicken from steaming instead of searing, avoid overcrowding the pan and cook in batches if necessary.
• Rinsing rice before cooking removes excess starch and helps achieve fluffy, non-gummy grains.
• If the creamy garlic sauce becomes too thick, whisk in additional chicken broth one tablespoon at a time to thin it out.
• Use fresh garlic and real Parmesan cheese for best flavor and creaminess in the sauce.
• Cooked components can be prepared ahead of time and stored separately for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
• For dairy-free variations, substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut milk; omit or use dairy-free Parmesan alternatives.
• Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts, but they may require 1-2 additional minutes of cooking.
• If sauce is too thick, use a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water) to thicken it gently.

Keywords: chicken, rice, garlic sauce, creamy sauce, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, stovetop, comfort food, meal prep