Description
This Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is a delightful one-pan meal featuring tender, seared chicken chunks coated in a garlicky, buttery sauce with a hint of red pepper flakes. Served over a luscious, creamy Parmesan-infused rice cooked in chicken broth and milk, this dish combines comforting flavors and textures for an easy yet impressive dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (fresh or 1 tsp dried)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk or cream
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice or jasmine
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over the chicken pieces to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and 1.5 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes, taking care not to burn it.
- Add spices and herbs: Stir in the red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and lemon juice or a splash of chicken broth into the skillet. Let it simmer gently for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Return chicken to sauce: Add the seared chicken back into the skillet and coat it well with the sauce. Let it simmer together for another 2 to 3 minutes to marry the flavors.
- Prepare the rice: In a separate saucepan, bring the chicken broth and milk or cream to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cook the rice: Add the uncooked rice to the simmering liquid, cover the pot, and cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Make the rice creamy: Once the rice is cooked, stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese along with a pinch of garlic powder (optional) to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon the creamy garlic Parmesan rice onto plates or a serving dish, then top with the chicken scampi. Garnish with additional chopped parsley or Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a richer rice, use cream instead of milk.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for juicier meat.
- Lemon juice adds a bright acidity; omit if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Make sure not to burn the garlic when sautéing to avoid bitterness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: chicken scampi, creamy garlic Parmesan rice, easy dinner, one-pan chicken recipe, creamy rice, garlic chicken, Parmesan chicken, stovetop meal
