Easy Smothered Chicken With Rice Recipe: Family Favorite

Tender chicken meets a rich, velvety sauce in this hearty smothered chicken with rice recipe that promises comfort on every forkful.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this soul-warming dish with its luxurious blend of seasonings and creamy gravy.

Each bite tells a story of slow-cooked love and traditional flavors melding together.

The chicken emerges incredibly juicy, nestled in a blanket of savory sauce that clings perfectly to fluffy rice.

Robust spices and carefully layered ingredients transform simple proteins into a restaurant-worthy meal.

You’ll adore how effortlessly this recipe comes together, creating a memorable dinner that feels both elegant and down-home.

Grab a plate and savor every delicious moment of this classic Southern comfort food.

Smothered Chicken & Rice Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that provides the primary protein and rich flavor for the dish.

• Instant Rice: Creates a soft, flavorful foundation that absorbs the delicious chicken and mushroom sauce.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Provides a creamy, rich base for the sauce that enhances the overall flavor.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and velvety sauce consistency.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Adds depth and seasoning to bring out the chicken's natural flavors.
• Minced Garlic: Introduces a robust, aromatic element to the dish.

• Fresh Mushrooms: Brings an earthy texture and additional flavor complexity to the recipe.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing chicken and preventing ingredients from sticking to the baking dish.

• Aluminum Foil: Helps cover the dish during initial baking to retain moisture and ensure even cooking.

Smothered Chicken & Rice Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Prep Rice

Fire up your oven to 350F (175C).

Prepare instant rice according to package instructions for three servings.

The rice will create a delicious base that soaks up all the incredible chicken juices.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• Garlic powder

Step 3: Create a Crispy Exterior

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add minced garlic and let it sizzle for a minute.

Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 15 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Sauce

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder

Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Enhance the Sauce

• Remaining minced garlic
• Sliced fresh mushrooms

Step 6: Prepare the Baking Dish

Lightly coat a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with olive oil using a paper towel to prevent sticking.

Step 7: Create the Base

Spread the cooked rice evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.

Step 8: Position the Chicken

Carefully place the browned chicken thighs on top of the rice layer.

Step 9: Smother with Sauce

Pour the mushroom soup mixture over the chicken and rice, ensuring everything is well-covered.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the top turns golden brown.

The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

Tips for Smothered Chicken & Rice

• Marinate chicken thighs in buttermilk for 2-3 hours before cooking to ensure extra juicy, tender meat that melts in your mouth.
• Choose fresh cremini or button mushrooms for the best flavor and texture, slicing them uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent taste.
• Use long-grain white rice or jasmine rice for optimal absorption of the creamy sauce, preventing a mushy texture and maintaining perfect grain separation.
• Swap regular cream of mushroom soup with low-sodium versions and reduce added salt to control sodium intake without compromising rich flavor profiles.
• Replace wheat-based cream of mushroom soup with gluten-free alternatives and use cornstarch instead of traditional thickeners to make the recipe celiac-friendly.

Storing Smothered Chicken & Rice

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken remains fresh and safe to eat.
• Transfer cooled chicken and rice to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, maintaining best quality and taste.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely through.

What to Serve with Smothered Chicken & Rice

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Chardonnay's buttery notes complement the creamy mushroom sauce, cutting through the richness while enhancing the chicken's savory flavors.
• Serve With Fresh Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the heavy, creamy dish and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Match With Roasted Vegetables: Prepare garlic-roasted asparagus or brussels sprouts to add a slightly charred, earthy element that echoes the mushroom's depth.
• Choose Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the delicious mushroom sauce, ensuring no flavorful drop goes to waste.

Smothered Chicken & Rice Ideas

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace cream of mushroom soup with homemade gluten-free cream of mushroom sauce using cornstarch, chicken broth, and mushrooms. Use gluten-free rice and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Use heavy cream instead of milk in the sauce and reduce overall carbohydrate content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute milk with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk. Use dairy-free cream of mushroom soup or create a homemade version using plant-based milk and mushroom stock.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace chicken thighs with firm tofu or portobello mushroom caps. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken-based ingredients and maintain the same seasoning techniques for maximum flavor complexity.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time since they cook faster. Chicken breasts tend to dry out more quickly, so reduce baking time by about 10-15 minutes and monitor internal temperature carefully.

• Is this dish considered healthy?

While delicious, this recipe is moderately high in calories and fat due to the cream of mushroom soup and chicken thighs. For a healthier version, use skinless chicken, low-fat soup, and consider adding more vegetables to increase nutritional value.

• What type of rice works best?

Instant rice is recommended in the recipe, but long-grain white rice or jasmine rice also work perfectly. Just ensure you pre-cook the rice according to package instructions before layering in the baking dish.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be white throughout with no pink areas and juices should run clear when pierced.

Smothered Chicken & Rice Goodness

• Craft a delightful meal with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for home cooks who want maximum flavor without complex techniques.
• Streamline your cooking process by preparing everything in a single baking dish, reducing cleanup time and kitchen mess while delivering a complete meal.
• Swap ingredients like chicken thighs for breasts or experiment with different mushroom varieties to match your taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Create a crowd-pleasing dinner that appeals to both adults and kids, with creamy, rich flavors that make everyone happy around the dinner table.

Smothered Chicken With Rice Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent smothered chicken with rice brings Southern comfort to your dinner table, blending rich, creamy gravy with tender chicken. Hearty flavors and homestyle cooking invite you to savor each comforting, flavorful bite of this classic Southern delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 8 chicken thighs

Fresh Vegetables:

• 2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
• 3 teaspoons minced garlic

Pantry and Dairy Ingredients:

• 3 cans (10.5 ounces each) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 cups instant white or brown rice (prepared)
• olive oil
• salt
• fresh ground pepper
• garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), creating the ideal environment for a succulent chicken dish.
2. Prepare instant rice according to package instructions, spreading evenly in a 9×13-inch glass baking dish to create a flavorful base.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, seasoning chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
4. Add minced garlic to the skillet, letting it sizzle briefly before introducing the chicken skin-side down.
5. Brown chicken for approximately 15 minutes per side, developing a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk cream of mushroom soup with milk, adjusting seasonings and adding a hint of garlic powder for enhanced flavor.
7. Incorporate sliced mushrooms and remaining minced garlic into the soup mixture, creating a rich, textured sauce.
8. Lightly oil the baking dish with a paper towel to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
9. Gently lay the browned chicken thighs atop the prepared rice, creating a harmonious layer of ingredients.
10. Generously pour the mushroom soup mixture over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
11. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to cook thoroughly.
12. Remove foil for the final 20 minutes of baking, allowing the top to achieve a golden-brown finish and intensify the dish’s visual appeal.

Notes

• Customize the seasoning by experimenting with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or paprika to add unique flavor profiles to the chicken.
• Opt for low-sodium cream of mushroom soup if you’re watching salt intake, and use unsweetened almond milk for a lighter version.
• Swap chicken thighs with boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option, adjusting cooking time to prevent drying out.
• Consider adding sautéed bell peppers or spinach to boost the nutritional value and introduce more vegetables to the dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg