Description
This Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Rice is a flavorful, creamy one-dish meal with tender chicken breasts baked alongside aromatic rice infused with sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices. Finished with rich cream, freshly grated Parmesan, and fresh basil for a comforting and elegant dish perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bake:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 6 oz sun dried tomatoes (finely chopped, about 1/4-inch pieces)
- 1.5 tbsp tomato paste
- 1.5 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1.5 cups rice (rinsed until water runs clear)
- 22 oz chicken stock
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For the Finish:
- 3.5 oz cream (room temperature)
- 2 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 bunch fresh basil (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare Mise en Place and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch for fluffy grains. Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes, grate the Parmesan cheese fresh, and roughly chop the basil. Measure and prepare all spices and ingredients so everything is ready before cooking.
- Build the Flavor Base and Combine Dry Elements: In a large 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the tomato paste with oregano, garlic powder, and paprika to create a concentrated flavor base. Stir well. Add the rinsed rice, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat the rice and distribute the tomatoes.
- Arrange Chicken and Add Liquid: Nestle the four chicken breasts into the rice mixture, spacing them evenly. Pour the chicken stock over the mixture, making sure the rice is mostly submerged. The stock will cook the rice and add savory depth while the chicken cooks.
- Bake Covered Until Rice Is Tender: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, gently stir the rice to redistribute, and check for doneness — the chicken should reach 165°F internally and the rice should be tender. If needed, cover again and bake for another 10-20 minutes until creamy and fully cooked. Let the rice settle for a minute after removing from the oven.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: Remove the chicken from the dish and set aside. Pour room-temperature cream into the hot rice and stir thoroughly to create a creamy sauce. Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan over the rice and stir until melted and combined. This ensures a smooth and rich finish without curdling.
- Plate and Garnish: Return the chicken breasts to nestle back into the creamy rice. Scatter fresh chopped basil on top just before serving to preserve its bright, fresh flavor. Serve family-style or individually, pairing each chicken breast with a generous portion of the creamy tomato rice.
Notes
- Rinsing rice is important to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy, separated grains.
- Using room-temperature cream prevents curdling when combined with hot rice.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and creates a smoother sauce than pre-shredded cheese.
- Letting the rice rest before stirring in cream helps avoid splattering.
- Cover tightly with foil while baking to ensure rice cooks properly by trapping steam.
- Check chicken internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F for safety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Parmesan Marry Me Chicken, baked chicken rice, creamy chicken rice, sun-dried tomato chicken, one dish chicken dinner, easy baked chicken recipe
