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Easy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice: The Best 15-Minute Dinner

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A quick and satisfying one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken and fluffy rice coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 15 minutes, this family-friendly recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (such as basmati or jasmine), uncooked
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Dried parsley or fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss to coat evenly.
  2. Heat a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt until foamy but not browned.
  3. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add the uncooked rice to the pan and stir for about 1 minute until the edges look slightly translucent.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
  7. Nestle the seared chicken pieces back into the rice, including any accumulated juices. Do not stir too much.
  8. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook undisturbed for 12 minutes.
  9. Turn off the heat and let the pan rest covered for 2-3 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  10. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use fresh garlic and pat chicken dry before seasoning. If rice seems wet after 12 minutes, let it sit covered off heat for 2-3 more minutes. For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with ghee or olive oil. Brown rice can be used but requires longer cooking time and more liquid.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken and rice, one-pan chicken and rice, 15-minute dinner, easy chicken recipe, quick weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/easy-garlic-butter-chicken-and-rice-the-best-15-minute-dinner/