If you’re craving a comforting, one-dish dinner that’s bursting with flavor, look no further than this Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice Bake. It’s the perfect combination of tender chicken breasts baked in a luscious garlic cream sauce with tender, fluffy rice. This dish is not only easy to prepare, but it also brings a delightful balance of creamy, savory, and herbaceous notes that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you’re feeding a family or prepping a meal for the week ahead, this bake fits the bill beautifully.

Top Reasons to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice Bake

All-in-One Meal: Chicken, rice, vegetables, and cheese all cooked together for a hassle-free dinner.
Rich, Creamy Flavor: The heavy cream and garlic create a velvety sauce that coats every bite.
Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples combine with fresh aromatics for a delicious meal without the fuss.
Perfect for Meal Prep: It reheats beautifully, making it ideal for lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
Customizable: You can easily swap out the veggies or herbs to suit your taste or what’s in season.
Family Friendly: Mild, comforting flavors appeal to kids and adults alike.

Gather These Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup rice (white or brown)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup chopped parsley for garnish

What You’ll Need (Gear)

Oven-safe baking dish (9×13 inch works well)
Skillet or frying pan for searing chicken
Sharp knife and cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing bowl for combining ingredients
Wooden spoon or spatula
Aluminum foil (optional, for covering during baking)

Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice Bake: How It’s Done

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray to prevent sticking. This sets the stage for a smooth cooking process.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat the tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, thyme, and basil. Once the oil is hot, sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this point since they will finish baking in the oven.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. This step builds a flavorful base for the creamy sauce.

Step 4: Combine Creamy Sauce and Rice

In your baking dish, combine the uncooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, chicken broth, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Stir together so the rice is evenly distributed and submerged in the liquid.

Step 5: Add Chicken and Cheese

Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire dish, including the chicken. This will melt into a gooey, golden topping during baking.

Step 6: Bake the Dish

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. After 35 minutes, remove the foil and scatter the frozen peas over the dish. Bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle the chopped parsley over the bake for a fresh burst of color and flavor. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Enjoy your creamy, garlicky, cheesy masterpiece!

Variations by Season

Spring: Swap peas for fresh asparagus tips or snap peas for a crisp, bright addition.
Summer: Add diced tomatoes or fresh basil leaves to enhance freshness.
Fall: Incorporate diced butternut squash or mushrooms for earthy warmth.
Winter: Use hearty vegetables like kale or spinach and add a pinch of smoked paprika for cozy depth.

Troubleshooting Tips

If the rice is undercooked after baking, add a splash more chicken broth, cover, and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
To avoid dry chicken breasts, sear them quickly and avoid overbaking by checking internal temperature (should reach 165°F).
If the sauce is too thin, remove the chicken after baking and simmer the sauce on the stovetop for a few minutes to reduce.
For uneven cooking, make sure the rice is spread evenly and submerged in liquid before baking.

Make Ahead Like a Pro

This Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice Bake is fantastic for meal prep. You can assemble the entire dish up to Step 5, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if baking straight from the fridge. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container for 3-4 days and reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.

Ask & Learn

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Absolutely! Brown rice works well but will require a longer baking time to become tender, usually about 50-60 minutes. You may need to add a little extra chicken broth to ensure it cooks fully.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

If you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a thickened milk alternative. Keep in mind this may slightly change the flavor and texture but will still be delicious.

Is it necessary to sear the chicken before baking?

Searing the chicken adds a lovely golden color and extra flavor to the dish, but you can skip this step to save time. Just be sure to bake the chicken long enough to cook through thoroughly.

Can I add other vegetables to the bake?

Yes! This recipe is very flexible. Try adding diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even shredded carrots for extra nutrition and flavor. Just be mindful of cooking times for different veggies.

Because You Liked This

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders – a quick and flavorful chicken recipe with a buttery garlic twist.
Jeera Rice Cumin Rice – a fragrant and simple rice side dish that pairs wonderfully with chicken dishes.

Ready, Set, Cook

With straightforward steps and pantry-friendly ingredients, this Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice Bake is your new go-to for effortless weeknight dinners. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked rice come together in a cozy casserole that feels indulgent but is easy to pull off. Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to enjoy a meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

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Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice Bake

This Creamy Garlic Chicken and Rice Bake is a comforting, one-dish meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a luscious garlic cream sauce.

Prep Time20

Cook Time50

Total Time1 10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chicken, Comforting, Creamy, Easy, Garlic, Meal Prep, One-Dish, Rice

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup rice white or brown
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
4 cloves garlic minced
1 onion diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
0.5 cup frozen peas
0.5 cup chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.

Searing Chicken

Heat the tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, thyme, and basil. Sear chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden crust forms.

Cooking Aromatics

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Combining Ingredients

In the baking dish, combine uncooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly distribute rice and submerge in liquid.
Place seared chicken breasts on top of rice mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire dish.

Baking

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and scatter frozen peas over dish. Bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.

Finishing

Sprinkle chopped parsley over the bake. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken slightly.

Equipment

Oven-safe baking dish (9x13 inch works well)
Skillet or frying pan for searing chicken
Sharp knife and cutting board
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Mixing bowl for combining ingredients
Wooden spoon or spatula
Aluminum foil (optional, for covering during baking)

Notes

For undercooked rice, add more chicken broth and bake an additional 10 minutes covered.
Sear chicken quickly to avoid dryness and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
If sauce is too thin, remove chicken and simmer sauce on stovetop to thicken.
Customize veggies seasonally: asparagus in spring, tomatoes in summer, butternut squash in fall, kale in winter.
Assemble ahead up to step 5; refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.