Creamy Pesto Chicken and Rice

Name: Creamy Pesto Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 25 mins
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 bag Success® White Rice; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 cup chopped onion; 1-2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken; 1/2 pkg (4 oz) cream cheese, room temperature; 1/2 cup frozen peas; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup prepared pesto; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 2 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley

This award-winning recipe is a quick take on an Italian classic made to perfection with pesto, chicken and Success® White Rice in less than 30 minutes.

PREP TIME 15 mins

COOK TIME 10 mins

SERVES 4

TOTAL TIME 25 mins

Ingredients

1 bag Success® White Rice
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
1/2 pkg (4 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup prepared pesto
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley

Instructions

This dish has all the flavors of an Italian classic in one. Made with Success® White Rice, this contest-winning recipe from the 2009 Restaurant Recipe Challenge is a definite crowd-pleaser.

Step 1
Prepare rice according to package directions.

Step 2
Meanwhile, heat oil in large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes, or until tender.

Step 3
Stir in chicken, cream cheese, peas and black pepper and cook until thoroughly combined and cream cheese has melted, about 2 minutes.

Step 4
Stir in broth, Parmesan, pesto and cream. Cook and stir for 2 minutes to heat through.

Step 5
Remove from heat and stir in rice. Garnish with parsley.

Perfect Pesto

Try a taste of Italy tonight, with this Creamy Pesto Chicken and Rice! A flavorful, one-pan skillet meal, this dish is home-cooked comfort food at its best. Bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with this quick and easy dish, made with pesto, Parmesan, parsley and more.

Did we mention that this recipe is gluten free? By substituting the pasta out for rice, we’ve omitted the gluten and made a real winner. Just make sure that your prepared pesto is also gluten free. If you prefer, you can even make your own homemade pesto. Save a bit of that pesto to make these incredible Chicken Pesto Stuffed Peppers.

Plan Your Pesto

If you want to make this a meal-prep option, we suggest that, before mixing together, you separate the rice and chicken pesto mixture into portions. When you’re ready to eat, mix the rice and creamy pesto mixture together, heat and enjoy! Success® Boil-in-Bag Rice makes it easy to control portions when you’re on the go or looking to prepare your meals for the week ahead. Keep a few bags stocked at home in your pantry for a quick meal or snack when hunger strikes! Looking for a dinner idea? Try our:easy Spanish rice recipe.