Description
Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is a flavorful, comforting one-pan meal that combines tender, seared chicken with a rich and creamy garlic parmesan rice. The dish is infused with garlic, butter, parmesan cheese, and a hint of red pepper flakes and lemon juice, bringing a perfect balance of savory and zesty flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (fresh or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk or cream
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice or jasmine
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance 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 sear until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Spices and Simmer: Stir in the red pepper flakes, parsley, and lemon juice or a splash of chicken broth. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Return Chicken and Simmer: Add the seared chicken back to the skillet, coating it thoroughly with the sauce. Simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the Rice: In a separate saucepan, bring the chicken broth and milk or cream to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Add Rice and Cook: Add the uncooked rice to the simmering liquid. Cover and cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquids, about 15 to 18 minutes, depending on rice variety.
- Make the Risotto-style Rice: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of garlic powder or minced garlic if desired, stirring until the rice becomes creamy and well combined.
- Serve: Plate the creamy garlic parmesan rice and top with the chicken scampi. Garnish with additional parsley or extra Parmesan cheese as desired.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for juicier meat.
- Use heavy cream for a richer rice, or milk for a lighter option.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Lemon juice is optional but adds a bright, fresh note to the dish.
- To prevent the garlic from burning, sauté it on medium heat and watch closely.
- Leftover rice can be refrigerated and reheated with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Chicken Scampi, Garlic Parmesan Rice, Creamy Chicken, Dinner Recipe, One Pan Meal
