Garlic Butter Rice with Chicken (Print Version)

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

# What You'll 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 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 black pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
04 - While chicken cooks, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
05 - Add minced garlic to the saucepan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Stir in rinsed rice and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat rice evenly in butter and aromatics.
07 - Pour chicken broth into the saucepan along with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with lid, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove saucepan from heat. Fluff rice with a fork and stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and fresh parsley.
09 - Slice grilled chicken breast. Portion rice into serving bowls or plates, top with sliced chicken, and garnish with lemon wedge.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in under an hour, and most of it is hands off while the rice simmers.
  • The garlic butter soaks into every grain of rice, making each bite ridiculously flavorful without any complicated technique.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, and the chicken stays juicy if you store it separately.
02 -
  • Dont skip rinsing the rice or youll end up with a gummy texture that no amount of fluffing can fix.
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling, even if youre hungry, because slicing it too soon lets all the juices run out onto the cutting board instead of staying inside the meat.
  • If your rice is still a little wet after 15 minutes, leave the lid on and let it sit off the heat for 5 more minutes to absorb the last bit of liquid.
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan for the rice so the heat distributes evenly and you dont end up with burnt spots on the bottom.
  • If you want deeper flavor, toast the rice in the butter and garlic for a full 2 minutes before adding the broth, it makes a noticeable difference.
  • Always taste the rice before serving and adjust the salt, because broths vary and sometimes it needs just a pinch more to really sing.
Go Back