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