Garlic Butter Rice with Chicken (Printable Version)

Fluffy garlic butter rice topped with tender grilled chicken breast. A simple, satisfying main dish ready in 45 minutes.

# 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 chopped fresh parsley, optional
14 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry. Rub with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from grill, cover loosely with foil, and let rest.
04 - While chicken cooks, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
05 - Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Stir in rinsed rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to coat rice in butter and aromatics.
07 - Pour in chicken broth, 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 from heat. Fluff rice with a fork and stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and parsley if using.
09 - Slice grilled chicken. Serve rice in bowls topped with sliced chicken and a squeeze of lemon.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together with pantry staples and tastes like youve been cooking all day.
  • The garlic butter soaks into every grain of rice, making each bite ridiculously comforting.
  • Juicy grilled chicken on top turns this into a complete meal without much effort.
  • It reheats beautifully, so leftovers never feel like a compromise.
02 -
  • Rinsing the rice is not optional, I skipped it once and ended up with gummy, sticky rice that clumped together.
  • Do not lift the lid while the rice simmers, the steam is what cooks it evenly and you will mess up the texture if you peek.
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling or all the juices will run out the second you slice it, leaving it dry.
03 -
  • Use a grill pan indoors if you do not have access to an outdoor grill, it gives you those beautiful char marks and the same smoky flavor.
  • Toast the rice in the butter and garlic for the full 2 minutes, it deepens the flavor and makes the rice taste richer.
  • Always taste the rice before serving and adjust the salt, chicken broth varies in saltiness and you want to get it just right.
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