Description
Creamy, flavorful, and comforting, this Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is a meal the whole family will adore. Tender chicken is cooked in a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce and served over perfectly buttery rice. It’s an easy yet elegant dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Rice:
- 1 cup jasmine or long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp butter
- For the Chicken Scampi:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Rice:
- In a medium saucepan, bring the 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil.
- Add the rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15–18 minutes, or until tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and stir in 1 tbsp butter. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the chicken for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Scampi Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up browned bits from the skillet.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, mixing until smooth and creamy. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Combine:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce.
- Simmer for an additional 2 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Serve:
- Plate the creamy garlic Parmesan rice and top with chicken scampi.
- Drizzle with extra sauce and garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Add sautéed vegetables like spinach or broccoli for extra nutrients.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: ~520 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg