Cacio e Pepe Chicken and Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 5-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• black pepper, freshly cracked, to taste
• kosher salt, to taste
• 1-2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. butter, unsalted
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press
• 1½ cups chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ lemon, juiced (~ 2 tbsp.)
• 1 cup pecorino romano, finely grated, plus more for garnish
• fresh parsley (optional for garnish)