Savory Creamy Rice with Chicken Tenders Recipe

Introduction

Savory Rice with Cream is a comforting, rich dish that combines tender chicken with creamy, flavorful rice. This baked recipe offers a delicious twist on classic rice dishes, perfect for a satisfying family meal or special occasion.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups short grain rice (such as Cal Rose)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
• 5 chicken tenders
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Mascarpone cheese
• 1.5 cups chicken broth (any type)
• 1.5 cups milk

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the rice thoroughly and soak it in water for 15 minutes to improve texture.
2. Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. Step 3: In a pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Brown the chicken tenders for 2-3 minutes on each side, seasoning them with salt and pepper as they cook. Remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: Drain the soaked rice. In a mixing bowl, combine the rice with salt, pepper, sour cream, Mascarpone cheese, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Mix well until the rice is evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Prepare a deep oven-safe dish—ideally a clay pot. Spread about 5 tablespoons of the rice mixture evenly over the bottom.
6. Step 6: Place the browned chicken tenders on top of the rice layer, then cover with the remaining rice mixture and level the surface.
7. Step 7: In a pot over medium heat, combine the milk and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and season with a dash of black pepper.
8. Step 8: Pour the hot liquid evenly over the rice and chicken in the oven dish. Place this dish inside a larger baking pan filled halfway with water to create a water bath.
9. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for about an hour, until the rice is fully cooked and the top is golden brown.
10. Step 10: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
11. Step 11: Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, savory rice with chicken!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a clove of minced garlic when browning the chicken.
• Substitute the chicken tenders with turkey or pork for a different protein option.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier taste and added protein.
• Adding chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme just before serving brightens the dish.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk to keep the rice moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use long grain rice instead of short grain?

Short grain rice works best for this recipe because it becomes creamier and more tender. Using long grain rice will result in a drier texture, though it can still be used if needed.

Is it necessary to soak the rice before cooking?

Soaking the rice helps it cook more evenly and allows the creamy texture to develop. You can skip this step, but soaking for 15 minutes is recommended for best results.

Savory Creamy Rice with Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.8 from 132 reviews

This Savory Rice with Cream recipe combines tender short grain rice with browned chicken tenders, enriched by creamy mascarpone and sour cream, then baked to golden perfection. The dish is cooked slowly in a water bath to achieve a moist and fluffy texture, making it a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rice Mixture

• 1.5 cups short grain rice (such as Cal Rose)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons sour cream
• 1 Tablespoon mascarpone cheese
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter (for mixing with rice)

Chicken

• 5 chicken tenders
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter (for browning chicken)
• Salt and black pepper to season chicken

Liquids

• 1.5 cups chicken broth (any type)
• 1.5 cups milk

Instructions

1. Soak the Rice: Wash the rice thoroughly and soak it in water for 15 minutes to help it cook evenly and become tender.
2. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the rice dish later.
3. Brown the Chicken: In a pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and brown the chicken tenders for 2-3 minutes on each side. Season with salt and black pepper, then set aside once cooked.
4. Prepare the Rice Mixture: Drain the soaked rice. In a bowl, combine the rice with salt, pepper, sour cream, mascarpone cheese, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Mix thoroughly until every grain is well coated with the creamy mixture.
5. Assemble the Dish: In a deep oven-safe dish (preferably clay), spread about 5 tablespoons of the rice mixture evenly over the bottom.
6. Add the Chicken: Place the browned chicken tenders over the rice layer, then cover the chicken with the remaining rice mixture. Level the surface for uniform cooking.
7. Prepare the Liquids: In a pot over medium heat, combine the milk and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat and season with a dash of black pepper.
8. Add Liquids to Rice: Pour the hot milk and broth mixture over the rice and chicken in the oven dish.
9. Set Up Water Bath and Bake: Place the oven dish into a larger pan filled halfway with water to create a water bath. Bake in the preheated oven for about one hour, until the rice is fully cooked and the surface is golden brown.
10. Cool and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving to allow flavors to settle.
11. Enjoy: Serve warm and enjoy this creamy, savory rice with tender chicken.

Notes

• Soaking the rice helps achieve a softer and evenly cooked texture.
• Using a water bath (bain-marie) prevents the rice from drying out and ensures gentle cooking.
• A clay oven dish is traditional for best heat distribution but can be substituted with any deep oven-safe dish.
• You can adjust seasoning to taste throughout the preparation process.
• If chicken tenders are unavailable, substitute with boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs thinly sliced.

Keywords: savory rice, creamy rice, baked rice with chicken, mascarpone rice, sour cream rice, comforting rice dish