Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken & Rice

Directions

  1. 1Grab three large chicken breasts.
  2. 2Tenderize the chicken breasts.
  3. 3Cut one lemon in half.
  4. 4Add the juice of one lemon to a bowl.
  5. 5Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bowl.
  6. 6Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the bowl.
  7. 7Add 1/2 tablespoon of pepper to the bowl.
  8. 8Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the bowl.
  9. 9Toss the chicken breasts in the marinade.
  10. 10Let the chicken marinate for at least 30-45 minutes.
  11. 11Pour 180g of fat-free evaporated milk into a blender cup.
  12. 12Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the blender cup.
  13. 13Add 80g of fresh Parmigiano Reggiano to the blender cup.
  14. 14Blend the sauce until completely smooth.
  15. 15Rinse 320g of basmati rice with cold water using a strainer.
  16. 16Add the rinsed rice to a pot.
  17. 17Add 480g of water to the pot with the rice.
  18. 18Add 30g of butter to the pot with the rice and water.
  19. 19Stir the rice, water, and butter.
  20. 20Bring the water to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes.
  21. 21Remove the pot from heat, keep covered, and let it sit for 10 more minutes.
  22. 22Place the marinated lemon pepper chicken breasts into a hot pan over high heat.
  23. 23Spoon extra marinade over the chicken while it cooks.
  24. 24Flip the chicken every 1 to 2 minutes until it's completely cooked through and has a nice sear.
  25. 25Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and place it aside.
  26. 26Deglaze the pan with the juice of the remaining half lemon.
  27. 27Reduce the heat to low.
  28. 28Pour the creamy parmesan sauce into the deglazed pan.
  29. 29Mix the sauce in the pan to pick up all the flavor from the pan drippings.
  30. 30Add pepper to taste to the sauce.
  31. 31Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes to thicken.
  32. 32Slice the cooked chicken breasts.
  33. 33Arrange the cooked rice in a serving pan.
  34. 34Place the sliced chicken on top of the rice.
  35. 35Drizzle the creamy lemon parmesan pan sauce over the chicken and rice.

Ingredients

  • 24 oz chicken breast
  • 1 lemon lemon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 0.5 tablespoon pepper
  • 1 tspn garlic powder
  • 180 g fat free evaporated milk
  • 80 g Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 0.5 lemon lemon
  • to taste pepper
  • 320 g basmati rice
  • 30 g butter
  • 480 g water

Equipment

panmeat tenderizerbowllemon squeezerblenderstrainerpotspatulameal prep containers

Tips

  • This recipe yields 5 meals that can be tossed in the freezer and had for lunches throughout the week.
  • The lemon parmesan pan sauce takes the dish to the next level.
  • You can support the creator by checking out their e-cookbooks for more high-protein meal prep recipes like Chicken Fried Rice, Chipotle Burrito Bowls, Protein Burritos, Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, Protein Pizza, Homemade Protein Bagels, Brownie Batter Overnight Oats, Butter Chicken, Brisket Queso Mac n Cheese, Pineapple Teriyaki Pulled Pork, Chili, Japanese Curry, Chicken Tinga, and French Onion Pasta.
  • Rinsing the basmati rice with cold water is important for proper cooking.
  • Allowing the rice to sit for 10 minutes after cooking helps it to fluff up nicely.
  • Make sure to deglaze the pan with lemon juice after cooking the chicken to pick up all the flavor for the sauce.
  • Reduce the heat to low when adding the creamy parmesan sauce to the pan to ensure it thickens properly and doesn't burn.
  • Flipping the chicken every 1-2 minutes helps achieve a nice sear and even cooking.
  • Marinating the chicken for at least 30-45 minutes is crucial for flavor.
  • You can add butter to the rice for extra flavor, as the overall dish is low-calorie.
  • Ensure the chicken is completely cooked through before removing it from the pan.
  • Serve the chicken sliced on top of the rice and drizzle with the creamy sauce.
  • For meal prepping, split the prepared chicken and rice into 5 equal servings, top with sauce, and store in the freezer until ready to eat.
  • This meal is part of a 500-calorie meal prep series, making it a great option for those tracking their macros and calories.
  • Don't eat plain chicken and rice, this recipe makes it flavorful and satisfying.
  • The pan sauce picks up all the flavor from the cooked chicken in the pan, enhancing the dish's taste.
  • Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes to thicken.
  • Cooking the chicken on high heat helps to get a good sear on the outside.
  • This recipe is described as "high protein, low calorie."