Description
This Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken cooked in a rich garlic-parmesan cream sauce, served atop buttery, perfectly cooked jasmine rice. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a delicious weeknight meal that combines classic Italian flavors with creamy, savory goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Scampi Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice
- 1 cup rice (preferably jasmine or long-grain)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp butter
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Additional Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, stir in 1 tbsp butter, and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Scampi Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth, bring to a simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, and continue simmering for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Combine: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss in the sauce, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to coat the chicken fully in the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate the creamy garlic Parmesan rice, top with the chicken scampi, drizzle with extra sauce, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute jasmine rice with long-grain or basmati rice if preferred.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure not to overcook the rice to maintain a fluffy texture.
- Freshly minced garlic adds the best flavor but garlic powder can be used if pressed for time.
- Garnish with lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice for a fresh contrast if desired.
