Description
This Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice recipe delivers a flavorful and comforting Italian-American main course featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in a zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce, paired perfectly with creamy garlic Parmesan rice. It’s a quick and delicious stovetop meal ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Scampi
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup dry white cooking wine or additional chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For the Garlic Parmesan Rice
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth for rice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the scampi sauce: In the same pan, melt the butter and add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and white wine, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in fresh lemon juice and lemon zest and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to slightly reduce the sauce.
- Combine chicken with sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat thoroughly in the lemon-garlic sauce. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top and keep warm.
- Prepare garlic Parmesan rice: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in rice and cook for 1 minute to lightly toast it. Pour in chicken broth and add salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Finish the rice: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Serve: Plate the garlic Parmesan rice and top with the lemon garlic chicken scampi. Garnish with additional chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a little extra Parmesan cheese or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the scampi sauce simmer a few additional minutes before returning the chicken to the pan.
