Garlic Butter Rice with Chicken (Printable version)

Fluffy rice infused with rich garlic butter, topped with juicy grilled chicken breast for a comforting meal.

# What you need:

→ 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 chopped fresh parsley
14 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Steps to follow:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub both sides evenly with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
02 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 3-4 minutes.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add rinsed rice to the saucepan with butter and aromatics. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to coat rice thoroughly.
05 - Pour chicken broth over rice. Add salt and black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove saucepan from heat. Fluff rice with a fork. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and fresh parsley.
07 - Slice grilled chicken into strips. Divide garlic butter rice among serving bowls. Top each portion with sliced chicken and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The garlic butter soaks into every grain of rice, making each bite ridiculously flavorful without any heavy sauces.
  • It feels fancy enough for company but comes together with everyday ingredients you probably already have.
  • The grilled chicken stays juicy and smoky, and it pairs so perfectly with the buttery rice that you will not need anything else on the plate.
02 -
  • Do not skip rinsing the rice or you will end up with a gummy, sticky mess instead of fluffy grains.
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling is crucial, cutting into it too soon makes all the juices run out and leaves you with dry meat.
  • Keep the lid on the rice while it simmers, lifting it releases steam and can make the rice cook unevenly or turn out crunchy in spots.
03 -
  • Use a fork to fluff the rice instead of a spoon, it keeps the grains light and separate instead of mashing them together.
  • If your chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them gently with a meat mallet so they cook at the same rate and stay juicy all the way through.
  • Taste the rice before serving and add a little extra salt or a squeeze of lemon if it needs a final boost of flavor.
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