Garlic Butter Rice with Chicken (Printable)

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub evenly with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper on all sides.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and internal juices run clear. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and allow to rest.
04 - While chicken grills, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Stir in rinsed rice and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat rice evenly with butter and aromatics.
06 - Pour chicken broth over rice and add 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 fully absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat. Fluff rice with fork and stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and parsley.
08 - Slice grilled chicken into portions. Divide rice among serving bowls or plates, top with sliced chicken, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under an hour, and most of it happens while you catch your breath.
  • The rice soaks up all that garlicky, buttery flavor and tastes like something you ordered out.
  • Youre getting protein, carbs, and comfort all on one plate without any fuss.
  • It reheats beautifully, so lunch the next day actually feels like a win.
02 -
  • Rinsing the rice is not optional, I skipped it once and ended up with a gummy, sticky mess instead of fluffy grains.
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling or all those juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying inside.
  • If your rice is still wet after 15 minutes, leave the lid on and let it sit off the heat for 5 more minutes to absorb.
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan for the rice so it cooks evenly without scorching on the bottom.
  • If you marinate the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs for even 30 minutes before grilling, the flavor deepens beautifully.
  • Always taste your rice before serving and adjust the salt, a little pinch at the end can make all the difference.
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