The Best Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe Ever

Culinary magic happens when chicken scampi meets creamy garlic parmesan rice in this irresistible comfort dish.

Coastal Italian influences dance through each savory bite.

Succulent chicken strips nestle against perfectly seasoned rice, promising a meal that sparks joy.

Delicate herbs and robust garlic create a symphony of flavors sure to impress.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary dinner experience.

Fresh parmesan adds a luxurious depth that makes every forkful memorable.

We bet you’ll fall in love with this delightful combination that brings restaurant-quality cooking right to your kitchen.

Why Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice Deserves A Spot On Your Table

• Customize Your Flavor: Adjust the red pepper flakes to match your spice preference, making this dish perfect for both mild and bold taste lovers.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Transform basic chicken and rice into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques.
• Create Culinary Versatility: Use the same cooking method for other proteins like shrimp or fish, turning this recipe into a flexible dinner solution.
• Impress Without Stress: Achieve professional-looking results with basic kitchen skills, making it ideal for home cooks wanting to elevate their meal game.

What You’ll Need To Make Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the main protein for this delicious scampi dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Spices that add depth, heat, and flavor to the chicken.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a light, crispy exterior when dredging the chicken.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provide rich cooking fat and contribute to the golden brown color of the chicken.
• Garlic, White Onion: Aromatic ingredients that build a flavorful base for the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and deepens the overall taste of the dish.
• Lemon: Provides bright, tangy notes through its zest and juice.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbal garnish to finish the dish.

• Rice: Serves as the base for the meal.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the rice.

Cook Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice Like A Pro

Step 1: Slice Chicken Into Strips

Cut chicken breasts into uniform, even strips to ensure consistent cooking and tender meat.

Step 2: Season Chicken Thoroughly

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Step 3: Dredge Chicken In Flour

Lightly coat seasoned chicken strips in flour, shaking off excess to create a crispy exterior.

Step 4: Sear Chicken In Hot Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place floured chicken strips and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Remove And Keep Warm

Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm.

Step 6: Create Flavor Base

• Minced garlic
• Chopped white onion

Sauté 1-2 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 7: Build Sauce

Pour chicken broth into skillet, scraping up browned bits. Add lemon zest and juice to create a bright, tangy sauce.

Step 8: Prepare Parmesan Rice

Cook rice according to package instructions. Stir in parmesan cheese during final cooking minutes.

Step 9: Combine Chicken With Sauce

Return chicken to skillet, coating with garlic-lemon sauce and heating through for 2 minutes.

Step 10: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley over chicken. Plate garlic parmesan rice, top with scampi-style chicken, and drizzle remaining sauce.

Quick Tips For Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice Perfection

• Slice with Precision: Cut chicken breasts into even, uniform strips to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent dry or tough meat.
• Flour Power: Shake off excess flour after dredging to achieve a delicate, crispy exterior that won't become heavy or greasy.
• Sauce Secret: Scrape up those delicious browned bits when adding broth to enhance the sauce's depth and rich flavor profile.
• Cheese Boost: Stir parmesan into rice during the final cooking minutes for maximum melting and integrated cheesy goodness.
• Fresh Finish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley right before serving to add bright color, fresh aroma, and a vibrant herbal note to the dish.

Flavor Combos For Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice

• Mediterranean Chicken Scampi: Replace lemon with sun-dried tomatoes and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired flavor profile, using oregano instead of parsley.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Scampi: Swap red pepper flakes for Cajun seasoning, incorporate bell peppers and green onions into the sauce, and use andouille sausage alongside chicken.
• Coconut Curry Chicken Scampi: Introduce coconut milk and mild curry powder to the sauce, replace white rice with jasmine rice, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a tropical touch.
• Asian-Inspired Chicken Scampi: Add soy sauce and ginger to the sauce, use sesame oil for cooking, incorporate green onions, and serve over steamed jasmine rice with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

Tastiest Pairings For Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice

• Elevate Citrus Refreshment: Pair this zesty chicken scampi with a crisp, cold sauvignon blanc that mirrors the lemon's bright acidity and complements the garlic's bold flavor.
• Create Herbal Harmony: Select a light, aromatic white ale or wheat beer that enhances the parsley's freshness and cuts through the rich, buttery sauce.
• Amplify Garlic Intensity: Serve a chilled Greek or Italian white wine like pinot grigio or assyrtiko, which provides a clean, mineral backdrop to the garlic-forward dish.
• Balance Flavor Complexity: Match the meal with a sparkling water infused with lemon and rosemary, offering a non-alcoholic option that echoes the recipe's herbal and citrus notes.

How To Save Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice For Later

• Transfer leftover chicken scampi to an airtight container, ensuring it cools completely before sealing. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, maintaining best flavor and texture when consumed within this timeframe.
• Carefully pack chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2 months, labeling with the date to track freshness. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Gently warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain moisture.
• Store sauce and chicken separately to prevent soggy texture.

Your Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice Cheat Sheet

• Why should I dredge the chicken in flour?

Dredging creates a light, crispy exterior that seals in moisture and helps develop a golden-brown crust when cooking, preventing the chicken from becoming dry.

• Can I use a different type of cheese for the rice?

Parmesan works best due to its sharp, nutty flavor, but you can substitute with romano or asiago for similar results.

• What if I don't have fresh parsley?

Dried parsley can work as a substitute, though it won’t provide the same fresh, bright flavor. If you don’t have parsley, you can skip it or use a small amount of chives or green onions.

• How do I prevent the chicken from becoming tough?

Cook the chicken just until golden brown and avoid overcooking.

Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent chicken scampi dances with zesty garlic butter sauce over creamy parmesan rice, creating a Mediterranean-inspired comfort meal. Rich flavors and elegant simplicity welcome you to savor each delightful forkful.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 0.25 cup chicken broth

Produce and Herbs:

• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup white onion

Pantry and Dairy:

• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Slice chicken breasts into uniform strips, ensuring even cooking and tender texture.
2. Season chicken generously with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, coating each piece thoroughly.
3. Dredge seasoned chicken strips in flour, shaking off excess to create a light, crispy coating.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
5. Carefully place floured chicken strips into the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
6. Remove chicken and set aside, keeping warm.
7. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter, allowing it to melt and become fragrant.
8. Mince garlic and white onion, then sauté in the butter for 1-2 minutes until softened and aromatic.
9. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
10. Zest and juice the lemon, adding both to the skillet to create a bright, tangy sauce.
11. Prepare rice according to package instructions, stirring in parmesan cheese during the final minutes of cooking.
12. Return chicken to the skillet, coating with the garlic-lemon sauce and heating through for 2 minutes.
13. Finely chop fresh parsley and sprinkle over the chicken just before serving.
14. Plate the garlic parmesan rice and top with the scampi-style chicken, drizzling any remaining sauce over the dish.

Notes

• Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help flour adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
• Opt for fresh garlic and high-quality parmesan cheese to elevate the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal spice tolerance, allowing customization for different heat preferences.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for deeper flavor development and more even heat distribution during cooking.
• Consider gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or cornstarch for dredging to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to retain moisture and prevent immediate juice loss.
• Experiment with herb variations like basil or thyme to add complexity to the garlic-lemon sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 620
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 57 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg