Description

Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken simmered in a garlic butter sauce with red pepper flakes and parsley, served over a rich, creamy parmesan-infused rice cooked in chicken broth and milk. This recipe combines savory, creamy, and slightly spicy elements making it perfect for a satisfying 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: Season chicken pieces with salt and black pepper evenly to ensure balanced flavor throughout the meat.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1.5 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic.
Add Flavorings: Stir in red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and lemon juice or a splash of chicken broth. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and coat them well with the sauce. Allow to simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavorful sauce.
Cook the Rice: In a separate saucepan, bring the chicken broth and milk or cream to a simmer over medium heat.
Add Rice and Simmer: Stir in the uncooked rice, cover the saucepan with a lid, and cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 18 to 20 minutes depending on rice variety.
Finish the Rice: Once the rice is cooked, stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of garlic to create a creamy, cheesy texture.
Serve: Plate the creamy garlic Parmesan rice and top with the chicken scampi. Garnish with additional chopped parsley or more Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Use chicken thighs if you prefer juicier, more flavorful meat; breasts work well for leaner protein.
For a creamier dish, use heavy cream instead of milk.
Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
If you like, substitute fresh parsley with dried parsley but use less as dried herbs are more concentrated.
The lemon juice is optional but adds a nice brightness to the dish.
Leftover chicken scampi can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: chicken scampi, creamy parmesan rice, garlic chicken, Italian chicken recipe, easy dinner, stovetop chicken recipe