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–+ servings
A close-up of a pasta bowl filled with farfalle pasta, topped with crispy chicken parmesan and fresh parsley.

The Only Rice Bowls Recipes Recipe You’ll Need (2025)

Discover the joy of rice bowls with this versatile recipe. Perfect for busy days, it's quick, satisfying, and easily adaptable to various dietary needs.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1/4 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning or your favorite blend
  • 4 tbsp salted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 12 oz dry shortcut pasta such as penne or rotini
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes adjust to your spice preference
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 oz cream cheese cubed
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
For Serving
  • 2 cups cooked rice brown or white
  • 1/4 cup fresh Italian basil chopped

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chili flakes to the same skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the milk and bring to a simmer. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the Italian seasoning.
  5. Add the drained pasta and cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Let it rest for 10 minutes off the heat.
  7. Serve the pasta mixture over cooked rice. Garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

This recipe is easily adaptable. For gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free pasta. For low-carb, serve over cauliflower rice or skip the rice altogether. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms.

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