Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe
This Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is a flavorful and elegant dinner featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts in a garlicky lemon butter scampi sauce paired with creamy, parmesan-infused rice. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or special occasion, this dish combines bright citrus notes, rich butter, and fragrant garlic for a delicious Italian-American inspired experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Scampi
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garlic Parmesan Rice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Scampi Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low and add butter to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping the skillet bottom to release any browned bits. Add lemon zest and allow the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly for 3–4 minutes.
- Make the Garlic Parmesan Rice: While the sauce simmers, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until aromatic. Stir in the white rice and toast it for about 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender. Remove from heat and fold in parmesan cheese and parsley.
- Combine and Serve: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet with the scampi sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken and let it simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes to meld flavors. Plate the chicken over a bed of the garlic parmesan rice. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking to lock in moisture.
- Use fresh garlic and freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor impact.
- For a richer sauce, add a splash of cream when simmering the scampi sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth to loosen the rice if needed.
Keywords: chicken scampi, garlic parmesan rice, lemon butter chicken, skillet chicken recipe
