Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe

The aroma of tender chicken and savory garlic sauce wafting through your kitchen will make everyone eagerly anticipate these Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe. This comforting bowl combines fluffy rice, juicy chicken, and a velvety garlic sauce that coats every bite with rich flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need something satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these customizable bowls are both nourishing and delicious. You’ll learn how to create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort, master a versatile garlic sauce that works with countless dishes, and discover tips for meal prepping these bowls for easy lunches all week.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce will quickly become a family favorite for several compelling reasons. First, the combination of textures is absolutely perfect – tender, juicy chicken paired with fluffy rice and the silky, creamy garlic sauce creates a harmony in every bite. The contrasting elements make each forkful exciting and satisfying.

The versatility is another major selling point. You can customize these bowls to suit your family’s preferences or use whatever vegetables you have on hand. The foundation of perfectly seasoned chicken and that irresistible garlic sauce remains consistently delicious regardless of what you add.

What truly sets this dish apart is the creamy garlic sauce – it’s rich without being heavy, deeply flavorful without overwhelming the other components, and so good you’ll want to drizzle it on everything. Best of all, these chicken and rice bowls come together in about 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe, you’ll need:

For the Chicken and Rice:

• 1½ lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups (400g) white rice, jasmine or basmati work best
• 3½ cups (830ml) chicken broth, divided
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:

• 6 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
• 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)

The quality of your chicken matters – fresh, organic chicken will yield the most flavorful results. For the garlic sauce, fresh garlic provides a much more vibrant flavor than pre-minced options, and real Parmesan cheese (not the shelf-stable powdered kind) makes the sauce exceptionally creamy and rich.

Pro Tips

To elevate your Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce, keep these critical techniques in mind:

First, properly season and brown your chicken. The key is to avoid overcrowding the pan, which steams rather than sears the meat. Work in batches if necessary, giving each piece space to develop a golden crust. This step creates a flavorful foundation and ensures juicy chicken. Season the chicken generously before cooking – chicken needs more salt than you might think.

For the perfect rice, rinse it thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch. This simple step prevents gumminess and helps achieve those distinct, fluffy grains that make the perfect base for your bowls. Let the rice rest covered for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the grains to finish steaming and reach their ideal texture.

The secret to an exceptional garlic sauce lies in properly cooking the garlic. Sauté it gently in butter just until fragrant – about 30-45 seconds – before it turns golden. This brief cooking period releases the aromatic compounds without developing bitterness. If your sauce becomes too thick, simply whisk in additional broth a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Begin by rinsing 2 cups of rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Add the rice to a medium pot with 3 cups of chicken broth and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes (or according to package directions) until the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken

While the rice cooks, prepare your chicken. In a large bowl, toss the chicken cubes with olive oil, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 3-4 minutes without disturbing to get a nice sear, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce

Using the same skillet (don’t clean it – those brown bits are flavor gold!), reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and butter, then whisk continuously for about 1 minute to cook the flour.

Step 4: Finish the Sauce

Slowly pour in the remaining ½ cup chicken broth while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking as you add the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until it begins to thicken. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for another 1-2 minutes until it reaches a silky consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Assemble the Bowls

To serve, divide the fluffy rice among four bowls. Top with the golden brown chicken pieces. Generously drizzle the creamy garlic sauce over the chicken and rice. For a complete meal, add your favorite steamed or roasted vegetables on the side. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or additional thyme if desired.

Variations

The beauty of these Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce is how adaptable they are to different tastes and dietary needs. For a Mediterranean twist, add sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and spinach to the sauce, then top the finished bowls with crumbled feta cheese and fresh oregano. The tangy, briny flavors complement the creamy garlic sauce beautifully.

For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or even coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that still maintains the sauce’s luxurious texture. You can also swap the white rice for brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a boost in nutrition and fiber – just adjust cooking times accordingly.

Vegetable lovers can transform this into a more nutrient-dense meal by adding sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini to the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking. The vegetables absorb the savory flavors while adding color, texture, and nutrients to your chicken and rice bowls.

Storage and Serving

These Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe make excellent leftovers and meal prep options. Store any remaining portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken when chilled; simply add a splash of chicken broth or milk when reheating to restore its creamy consistency. For best results, reheat in a microwave at 70% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, or gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

For an elegant serving suggestion, place the rice in a ring mold on each plate, arrange the chicken in the center, and drizzle the sauce artfully around and over the top. Garnish with microgreens and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for restaurant-quality presentation.

These bowls pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the sauce. For a complete meal, serve alongside roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts and warm crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that irresistible garlic sauce.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the components separately up to 2 days in advance. Store the cooked chicken, rice, and sauce in separate containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed to thin it out, and microwave the rice and chicken before assembling.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Substitute the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative. Replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or your favorite unsweetened plant-based cream, and omit the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and often result in juicier meat. They typically need about 1-2 minutes longer cooking time than breasts.

What can I substitute if I don’t have fresh garlic?
While fresh garlic provides the best flavor, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in the sauce. Add it when you would add the flour rather than sautéing it.

My sauce is too thick/thin. How can I fix it?
If your sauce is too thick, whisk in additional chicken broth or cream, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thin, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir this slurry into the simmering sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.

Conclusion

This Easy Chicken & Rice Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce Recipe is comfort food at its finest — a perfect harmony of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a velvety sauce that ties everything together with its rich, garlicky flavor. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special dinner, yet remains simple enough to prepare even when you’re short on time. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, meal prepping for the week ahead, or looking to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen, these versatile bowls deliver satisfaction in every bite. The creamy garlic sauce alone is worth adding this recipe to your regular rotation — you’ll find yourself wanting to drizzle it on everything!

Print