Description
This Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice recipe offers a delightful combination of tender, seasoned chicken strips cooked in a flavorful garlic lemon sauce, paired with creamy, cheesy garlic Parmesan rice. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s quick to prepare and packed with savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Scampi
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For the Garlic Parmesan Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken strips evenly with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté garlic and simmer sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and white wine if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer and allow it to reduce slightly for 3-4 minutes to concentrate the flavors.
- Finish the sauce and combine: Stir in the unsalted butter until melted and the sauce becomes silky. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat the strips evenly with the sauce. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley to add freshness.
- Cook the garlic Parmesan rice: In a separate saucepan, combine the rice, chicken broth, and minced garlic. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Complete the rice: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, and season the rice with salt and pepper to taste. Fluff the rice gently with a fork to mix in the cheese evenly.
- Serve: Spoon the garlic Parmesan rice onto plates, top with the chicken strips and sauce, and garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- White wine is optional; you can substitute with extra chicken broth if preferred.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor impact in both the chicken and rice.
- Butter adds richness to the sauce—do not skip to maintain authentic scampi flavor.
- If you want a gluten-free dish, ensure the chicken broth and Parmesan cheese are certified gluten-free.
- For a dairy-free version, omit butter and Parmesan and substitute with dairy-free alternatives.
