Description
How to make creamy honey mustard pepper jack chicken rice with tender chicken and melted cheese that delivers comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Rice Base
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1½ cups long grain white rice, uncooked
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Honey Mustard Sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings & Cheese
- 1½ cups pepper jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté diced onion until translucent and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Add Rice: Stir in uncooked rice and toast for 2 minutes until lightly golden. This step adds incredible nutty flavor and prevents the rice from getting mushy.
- Create Sauce: Whisk together honey, both mustards, and heavy cream in a bowl. Pour this mixture and chicken broth into the skillet, stirring to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer Everything: Return chicken to skillet, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat and stir in pepper jack cheese until melted and creamy. Let rest 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh chives before serving warm.
Notes
- Toast the rice in chicken drippings for 2 minutes to prevent mushy texture and add flavor.
- Remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent curdling and ensure smooth melting.
- Store in refrigerator up to 4 days in airtight container for best quality.
- Add splash of broth when reheating to restore creamy consistency.
- Fresh shredded cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties.
- Let dish rest 5 minutes after cooking for flavors to meld perfectly.
Allergy Information: Dairy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 35g