Description

This Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice recipe features tender, golden-seared chicken pieces coated in a flavorful garlic scampi glaze and served atop rich, creamy Parmesan-infused rice. The combination of garlic, butter, and a touch of crushed red pepper brings a delightful balance of heat and comfort to this easy stovetop meal perfect for weeknights or weekend dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (adjust to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter (for searing chicken)
Garlic powder (to taste)

For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice:

2 tablespoons butter (divided)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup jasmine or long grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Scampi Glaze and Garnish:

Additional butter (for scampi glaze)
Minced garlic (additional for glaze)
Crushed red pepper (additional for glaze)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional, for garnish and glaze)
1 tablespoon diced red chili (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare and Season Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks and pat them dry with paper towels. Season thoroughly with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper to ensure flavorful meat.
Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and sear until golden brown on all sides and fully cooked through. Remove cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic for Rice: In the same skillet, melt another tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic.
Cook the Rice: Add the rice to the skillet and toast it with garlic and butter for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. Pour in the chicken broth, bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the skillet tightly and cook on low heat for 15-18 minutes or until the rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
Create Creamy Parmesan Rice: Once the rice is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until the mixture is creamy and smooth. If the rice is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up.
Make Scampi Glaze: In a separate pan, melt some butter and add minced garlic, crushed red pepper, and chopped parsley. Cook briefly until fragrant, then add the cooked chicken back into the pan to coat it well with this garlic scampi glaze.
Assemble and Garnish: Plate the creamy garlic Parmesan rice and top it with the glazed chicken. Drizzle any remaining scampi sauce over the top. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and diced red chili for a pop of color and extra heat.

Notes

You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for juicier meat.
Adjust crushed red pepper according to your heat preference.
Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt level of the dish.
Jasmine rice adds a fragrant aroma but long grain white rice works well too.
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For an even creamier texture, add more heavy cream or a little cream cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American-Italian

Keywords: chicken scampi, creamy garlic rice, Parmesan chicken, stovetop chicken recipe, easy dinner, garlic butter chicken, creamy rice side dish