Description
Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice brings succulent chicken and zesty flavors dancing together on your dinner plate. Creamy rice and tender chicken create a simple meal that makes weeknight cooking feel like a delightful culinary adventure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Cooking Liquids and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup white wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Salt 1 pound chicken strips with a pinch of pepper, preparing them for sizzling golden perfection.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and ready to cook.
- Add seasoned chicken strips and cook exactly 3-4 minutes per side, transforming them to a beautiful golden brown.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping those delicious juices intact.
- Drop 4 minced garlic cloves into the same skillet and sauté for precisely 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour ½ cup chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and optional ¼ cup white wine into the skillet, scraping up those flavorful browned bits.
- Simmer the liquid mixture for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to reduce and concentrate its flavors.
- Swirl 2 tablespoons unsalted butter into the sauce until completely melted and incorporated.
- Return chicken strips to the skillet, gently coating them with the luxurious sauce.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped parsley over the chicken for a fresh touch.
- In a separate saucepan, combine 1 cup long-grain white rice, 2 cups chicken broth, and 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Bring the rice mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to low.
- Cover the rice and simmer for exactly 15-20 minutes until tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
- Remove rice from heat and fold in ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Season rice with additional salt and pepper to your taste preference.
- Plate the garlic Parmesan rice and crown it with your saucy chicken scampi.
- Drizzle remaining sauce generously over the chicken and rice.
- Garnish with extra chopped parsley for a vibrant final touch.
Notes
- Always use fresh garlic for the most vibrant flavor in both the chicken and rice components of this dish.
- Pat chicken strips completely dry before seasoning to ensure a beautiful golden-brown crust when searing.
- Letting the sauce reduce helps concentrate the flavors and create a more luxurious coating for the chicken.
- For a lighter version, substitute half the butter with olive oil and use low-sodium chicken broth to cut down on calories.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 418 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg