Garlic Butter Rice with Chicken (Print Version)

Fluffy garlic butter rice paired with grilled chicken breast. A comforting, easy-to-make meal ready in 45 minutes.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garlic Butter Rice

06 - 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
07 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, gluten-free
08 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 4 large garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
14 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Method:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub evenly with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to plate, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - While chicken cooks, heat 2 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Add rinsed rice to saucepan and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, coating grains evenly with butter and aromatics.
06 - Pour in chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with lid, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat. Fluff rice with fork and stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and parsley.
08 - Slice grilled chicken. Divide rice among bowls or plates, top with sliced chicken, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under an hour, which means you can start this after work and still eat like a human.
  • The garlic butter soaks into every grain of rice, making each bite taste richer than it should.
  • Juicy grilled chicken on top turns simple rice into a full meal without any fuss.
  • It works for meal prep, date night, or feeding your family without hearing complaints.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the rice, or you will end up with a sticky, clumpy mess instead of fluffy grains.
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling, cutting into it too soon releases all the juices onto the cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
  • Use low-sodium broth so you can control the salt level, regular broth can make the rice taste overly salty.
  • Keep the lid on the rice while it simmers, lifting it releases steam and can leave you with undercooked grains.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check the chicken, guessing by time alone can lead to overcooked, dry meat.
  • Stir the rice gently with a fork, not a spoon, to keep the grains from breaking and turning mushy.
  • Toast the rice in the garlic butter for the full 2 minutes, this step makes a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.
  • Taste the rice before serving and adjust the salt or add an extra pat of butter if it needs more richness.
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