Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice

A delicious, creamy, garlicky chicken dinner served over buttery Parmesan rice! Perfect for an easy family meal. 😋

Ingredients

For the Chicken

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
½ cup chicken broth
2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For the Garlic Parmesan Rice

1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth or water
1 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Rice

Rinse the rice until the water runs mostly clear. Add rice and chicken broth to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and cook for about 15–18 minutes, or until tender. Let it rest for 5 minutes.

Stir in butter, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.

2. Season the Chicken

Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.

3. Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked.

4. Make the Scampi Sauce

Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the pan.

Reduce the heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until lightly saucy.

5. Finish & Serve

Stir in fresh parsley. Spoon the warm garlic Parmesan rice onto plates and top generously with the golden chicken scampi. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Nut Information

Nut-free: This recipe does not contain peanuts or tree nuts. However, always check packaged ingredients such as Parmesan cheese, chicken broth, and seasonings for possible allergen or cross-contamination warnings.

Q&A

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead?
A: Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work perfectly and will be extra juicy.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Store the chicken and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat until piping hot.

Q: Can I add vegetables?
A: Absolutely! Spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus, or zucchini are great additions.

Q: Can I make it spicy?
A: Yes! Add extra red chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Q: How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
A: The safest method is to use a food thermometer; the thickest part should reach 165°F / 74°C.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.