Smothered Chicken and Rice (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken with Spices

01 - Salt and black pepper, freshly ground, to season
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika, smoked
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

→ Tasty Cooked Rice

07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt for seasoning
08 - 2 cups of chicken broth
09 - 1 cup of long white rice grains

→ Rich Cheese Sauce

10 - A few parsley leaves, chopped, for garnish
11 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for seasoning
12 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded fresh
15 - 1 1/2 cups full-fat milk
16 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
17 - 2 tablespoons flour, all-purpose
18 - 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Coat your chicken breasts in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour oil into a hot skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side till golden. Set it aside for later.
02 - Heat chicken broth with salt in a pot until it boils. Pour in rice, lower to a gentle simmer, cover, and let it cook for 15-18 minutes. When the liquid is absorbed, fluff it with a fork and keep it warm until serving.
03 - In the same pan where you cooked the chicken, melt your butter over moderate heat. Stir in the flour and whisk for about a minute until pale golden. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring nonstop till smooth. Add grated cheeses and seasonings, and mix till smooth and creamy.
04 - Nestle the seared chicken back in the cheesy sauce. Cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes over medium-low heat until tender and fully done. Spoon the sauce generously over the chicken and serve with your freshly made rice, garnishing with parsley.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Searing your chicken first helps to keep it juicy with a nice crust
02 - For a smoother sauce, shred your cheese fresh instead of using prepackaged
03 - You can make the sauce ahead of time and gently warm it up with a splash of milk

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