Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is a one-skillet meal packed with tender chicken, rich garlic butter sauce, and savory Parmesan rice. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that comes together quickly, perfect for any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe turns simple ingredients into something that tastes like a restaurant-quality meal. The chicken is seasoned and cooked to golden perfection, the rice soaks up the buttery garlic flavor, and the Parmesan ties everything together with its creamy, salty goodness. It all comes together in one pan, which makes prep and cleanup incredibly easy.
Ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 stick (½ cup) butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided
- ½ cup chicken broth + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- I season the chicken tenderloins with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- In a large nonstick skillet, I heat olive oil over medium heat and cook the chicken until browned and just cooked through. I remove it from the skillet and keep it warm.
- In the same skillet, I melt the butter and add garlic, red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon salt. I cook this mixture for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- I pour in the broth and lemon juice, increase the heat to medium-high, and stir well for about 5 minutes until slightly reduced. I remove 2 tablespoons of this sauce and set it aside.
- I stir in the rice and cook for 3–4 minutes, letting it toast slightly. Then I add 3 cups of chicken broth and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. I bring it to a simmer, cover the pan, and reduce the heat to medium-low. I let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring just once or twice early on.
- Once the rice is tender, I stir in the Parmesan, arrange the chicken on top, and drizzle the reserved garlic butter sauce over it. I cover the pan again, remove it from the heat, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- I garnish with chopped parsley and a little extra Parmesan before serving if I have some on hand.
Servings and Timing
This dish serves 4 people. Prep time is about 10 minutes, and total cooking time is around 35 minutes, so I can have dinner ready in 45 minutes.
Variations
- Creamy Version: I sometimes add a splash of cream at the end for an extra rich finish.
- Vegetable Add-In: I toss in peas, spinach, or broccoli during the last few minutes of rice cooking for added texture and color.
- Cheese Options: Swapping Parmesan for Asiago or Pecorino brings a different cheesy note.
- Spice it Up: I increase the red pepper flakes if I want more heat.
- Herb Boost: Adding thyme, rosemary, or fresh basil gives the dish a more herbal twist.
Storage/Reheating
I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I use a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or water, or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to keep the rice from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, I can use cooked chicken and add it to the dish when the rice is nearly done, just long enough to heat through.
Will brown rice work?
It will, but I allow for a longer cooking time and more broth, since brown rice takes more time to become tender.
Is this good for meal prep?
Absolutely. I portion it into containers and it holds up well for lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes, I like adding spinach, peas, or steamed broccoli during the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra nutrition and color.
How can I keep the rice from getting mushy?
I avoid over-stirring and make sure to use long-grain rice. Letting it rest covered after cooking helps maintain the right texture.
Conclusion
Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is a satisfying, flavorful dish that brings warmth and richness to the table with minimal fuss. I always appreciate how quickly it comes together and how every bite delivers buttery, garlicky goodness with tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice.
Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Skillet, One-Pan
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Description
Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is a flavorful, one-skillet dinner featuring tender chicken, buttery garlic sauce, and creamy Parmesan rice. This easy chicken scampi recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and delivers restaurant-style flavor
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 stick (½ cup) butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided
- ½ cup chicken broth + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring.
- Stir in ½ cup broth and lemon juice. Increase heat to medium-high and reduce for 5 minutes. Reserve 2 tablespoons of this sauce.
- Add rice and toast for 3–4 minutes. Pour in 3 cups broth and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Simmer, cover, and cook on medium-low for 20 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, return chicken to the pan, and drizzle reserved sauce over the top. Cover, remove from heat, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use long-grain white rice to prevent mushiness.
- Add vegetables like spinach or peas in the last 5 minutes of cooking for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat with a splash of broth.
- To make it creamy, add a splash of cream after the rice is done.
- Great for meal prep and leftovers keep well for up to 3 days.
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