Description

Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is a delicious, comforting dish featuring tender, seared chicken tossed in a garlicky, buttery scampi sauce, served atop rich and creamy parmesan-infused rice. This recipe combines sautéing and stovetop simmering techniques to create a perfect balance of flavors and textures for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Scampi

1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice

1 cup white rice
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

Prepare and season chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and season them evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Make the scampi sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium, melt the butter, then add minced garlic and red chili flakes if using. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden, about 1-2 minutes.
Combine chicken and sauce: Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley into the skillet. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan and toss well to coat with the scampi sauce.
Toast the rice: In a separate saucepan, melt a small amount of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and uncooked white rice. Toast the rice by stirring constantly for 2–3 minutes to enhance its flavor.
Cook the rice: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, about 15-20 minutes.
Finish the creamy rice: Stir the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese into the cooked rice until it becomes creamy and well combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serve: Plate the creamy garlic parmesan rice and top with the chicken scampi. Garnish with additional parsley if desired for a fresh touch.

Notes

For spicier flavor, increase red chili flakes according to taste.
Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for better flavor and creaminess.
Make sure to toast the rice before cooking to add nuttiness and depth to the dish.
Leftover chicken scampi can be stored separately and reheated gently to avoid overcooking.
Fresh parsley garnish adds color and freshness; you can substitute with cilantro if preferred.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Chicken scampi, garlic parmesan rice, creamy rice, lemon chicken, skillet chicken, one-pot dinner, easy dinner recipe