No Peek Chicken & Rice

 

2 T. olive oil

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs

½ tsp. paprika

½ tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1 small sweet onion, diced

1 C. diced carrots

1 C. diced celery

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. fresh thyme

1 ½ C. basmati rice

3 C. chicken broth

8 oz. heavy whipping cream

½ C. shredded Parmesan cheese

½ C. shredded Gouda cheese

Kosher salt

fresh cracked pepper

Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray and set aside. Lay the chicken thighs out on a large cutting board. Combine paprika, garlic powder, ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper in a small bowl. Whisk together and sprinkle over both sides of the chicken. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté the chicken over medium high heat, for 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan (it’s okay if the chicken is not cooked completely through, it will continue cooking with the rice), and place the chicken in the 9×13 baking dish. In the same hot skillet, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery (mirepoix). Cook until the veggies are softened, for 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic and thyme, cooking for 1 minute. Making the sauce: Next pour in the chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, Parmesan cheese, Gouda cheese, and the basmati rice and stir. On medium-high heat cook, stirring the sauce, for about 5 minutes, then simmer for another 5-7 minutes to thicken the sauce. Pour the mixture over the chicken thighs in the 9×13 baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40-50 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the chicken is cooked through. Remove the foil; garnish with fresh chopped parsley and enjoy! Optional to broil for 1-2 minutes after removing the foil, to brown the chicken.