CHICKEN SCAMPI WITH GARLIC PARMESAN RICE EASY

Craving a dish that’s both comforting and bursting with flavor? Imagine tender chicken, bathed in a luscious, garlicky scampi sauce, served over a bed of creamy, parmesan-infused rice – a symphony of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more. With this recipe for Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice, you can create a restaurant-worthy meal in the comfort of your own kitchen, and I promise, it’s easier than you think!

The Star Players: Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken Scampi:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Garlic Parmesan Rice:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup long-grain rice (like Basmati or Jasmine)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Garlic Parmesan Rice:

1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
2. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed. Don’t peek! Keeping the lid on ensures even cooking.
3. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and butter until melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside and keep warm.

Making the Chicken Scampi:

1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
4. Pour in the white wine and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate slightly.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it evenly with the scampi sauce.
7. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
8. Serve the Chicken Scampi over the Garlic Parmesan Rice. Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Pro Tips & Tricks for Scampi Success

Okay, let’s be real. Scampi sauce can be a little tricky. Here are my secrets for nailing it every time:

• Don’t overcrowd the pan: When searing the chicken, work in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan will lower the temperature and steam the chicken instead of browning it. We want that gorgeous color and flavor!
• Deglaze like a pro: After cooking the chicken, there will be some browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. That’s where all the flavor is! Use the white wine to deglaze the pan by scraping up those bits with a wooden spoon.
• Control the heat: Scampi sauce can separate if it’s cooked at too high a temperature. Keep the heat low and gentle while simmering the sauce.
• Fresh is best: Fresh garlic and parsley will make a huge difference in the flavor of this dish.
• Taste as you go: Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add more lemon juice for a brighter flavor or more red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Variations to Make it Your Own

This recipe is fantastic as is, but feel free to experiment and customize it to your liking:

• Add vegetables: Sauté some sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini along with the garlic for a veggie-packed meal.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
• Make it creamy: For an even richer sauce, add a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.
• Use shrimp: If you prefer, you can substitute the chicken with shrimp. Just cook the shrimp for a few minutes until pink and opaque.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice is a complete meal on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to elevate your dining experience:

• Side salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette will complement the richness of the dish.
• Crusty bread: Serve with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious scampi sauce.
• Roasted asparagus: Roasted asparagus with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is a great side dish.
• Wine pairing: A crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, pairs perfectly with Chicken Scampi.

Other Chicken Recipes You’ll Absolutely Love

If you’re a chicken lover like me, you’ll definitely want to check out these other delicious chicken recipes:

• Craving comfort food? Try this Cheesy Chicken Crescent Bake for a warm and satisfying meal.
• Looking for a restaurant-quality dish at home? You’ll fall in love with this Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
• For a crispy and flavorful chicken dinner, you can’t beat this Oven-baked Crispy Parmesan Chicken.
• And who could resist a creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta?
• Speaking of pasta, you might also like Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti.
• For the easiest prep of them all, try Crispy Parmesan Chicken.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Storing: Leftover Chicken Scampi and Garlic Parmesan Rice can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the Chicken Scampi in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if needed to prevent it from drying out. Reheat the Garlic Parmesan Rice in the microwave or in a saucepan with a tablespoon of butter or broth. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your Homemade Chicken Scampi!

There you have it – a delicious and satisfying Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. I hope you enjoy making and eating this dish as much as I do. Happy cooking!

Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice

This Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice recipe offers a flavorful and comforting meal, combining tender chicken in a garlicky scampi sauce with creamy, parmesan-infused rice. Easy to make at home, it’s a restaurant-quality dish perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 650

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup long-grain rice like Basmati or Jasmine
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

• large skillet
• medium saucepan
• cutting board
• knife
• wooden spoon
• fork
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Whisk (optional)

Method

 

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and 2 cloves minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
2. Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed.
3. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons butter until melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside and keep warm.
4. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
5. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
6. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the same skillet. Add the remaining 4 cloves minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
7. Pour in the white wine and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate slightly.
8. Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it evenly with the scampi sauce.
10. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
11. Serve the Chicken Scampi over the Garlic Parmesan Rice. Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken. Deglaze the pan with white wine to capture the flavorful browned bits. Control the heat when simmering the scampi sauce to prevent separation. Use fresh garlic and parsley for the best flavor. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Leftovers can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of broth if needed. Variations: Add sautéed vegetables, cayenne pepper, or cream cheese. Substitute chicken with shrimp.