Introduction

Oh, friends, get ready for a 25-minute meal that tastes like it came from a fancy Italian restaurant! This Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is pure, decadent, cozy comfort in a bowl. Imagine this: tender, juicy bites of chicken, pan-seared in a zesty, bright, garlic-butter scampi sauce, all served over a bed of the most unbelievably rich, velvety, creamy Parmesan rice. It’s one of those “chicken and sauce” dreams, striking that perfect, beautiful balance between an elegant, impressive meal and a super-fast, easy weeknight dinner.

Serving Versatility

This is the ultimate one-bowl meal! The “creamy chicken scampi” and the garlic rice are a match made in heaven. But, you could also serve the chicken scampi on its own over traditional angel hair pasta, and serve the creamy rice as a side dish with something else (like steak!). The chicken scampi itself is also fantastic served low-carb with just a side of roasted asparagus.

Full Recipe Section

25-Minute Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Calories: Approximately 680 kcal per serving

Ingredients:

• For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice:
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups cooked rice (leftover or freshly made is fine!)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
• For the Chicken Scampi:
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced (yes, five!)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Start Creamy Rice: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Finish Rice: Stir in the cooked rice, 1/2 cup chicken broth, and heavy cream. Cook, stirring, for 3-5 minutes until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid and is hot and creamy. Turn off the heat and stir in the 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and keep warm on low.
3. Prep Chicken: While the rice is warming, place the chicken pieces in a bowl. Add the flour, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat.
4. Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
5. Make Scampi Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the 3 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the 5 cloves of minced garlic and the red pepper flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the garlic is golden and fragrant.
6. Deglaze: Pour in the white wine (or broth) and the fresh lemon juice, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble for 1-2 minutes.
7. Combine: Turn off the heat. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Stir in the fresh parsley and toss to coat the chicken in the glossy scampi sauce.
8. Serve: Spoon the “creamy garlic parmesan chicken” rice into bowls and top with the hot chicken scampi and extra sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Restaurant-Worthy in 25 Minutes: This is one of the fastest, most impressive “chicken scampi recipe” ideas you’ll ever make!
• Budget-Friendly Gourmet: Uses simple pantry staples like chicken and rice to create a meal that feels so elegant.
• Big, Cozy Flavor: The zesty, garlicky “chicken scampi” perfectly cuts through the rich, savory, “creamy garlic rice.”
• High-Protein & Satisfying: This is a truly hearty, satisfying meal that will keep you full and happy.
• Easy to Customize: Use shrimp instead of chicken, or toss in a big handful of fresh spinach with the rice!

Cultural or Cooking Technique Note (Optional)

“Scampi” is actually the Italian name for a type of crustacean, but in Italian-American cooking, it’s become the name of a technique. It almost always means searing a protein (like shrimp or, in this case, chicken) and then creating a fast, delicious pan sauce with garlic, butter, and white wine or lemon juice. The key is using the same pan to build the sauce, which gets all that amazing, caramelized flavor from the chicken.

Serving Suggestions

1. In a Bowl (The Classic): This is a true one-bowl meal!
2. With Asparagus: A side of simple, roasted or steamed asparagus is the perfect green vegetable to pair with this.
3. With a Salad: A crisp, simple green salad with a light lemon vinaigrette balances the richness beautifully.
4. With Bread: You’ll want a slice of crusty bread to get every last drop of that amazing “chicken and sauce”!

Pro Tips for Success

• Use Fresh Garlic: This is a “garlic parm chicken and rice” dish! Freshly minced garlic (and lots of it!) is non-negotiable for that bold, cozy flavor.
• Don’t Crowd the Chicken: Get your pan hot and cook the chicken in a single layer. If you crowd it, the chicken will steam instead of sear, and you won’t get those golden-brown, flavorful bits.
• Use Fresh Parmesan: For the creamiest, dreamiest rice, please use a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself. The pre-grated stuff in a bag or can has anti-caking agents and will not melt smoothly.
• Scrape the Pan!: When you add the wine/lemon juice for the scampi, use your spoon to scrape up all the browned bits (the “fond”) from the bottom of the pan. That’s pure flavor!

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat. You’ll need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to the rice to “wake it up” and make it creamy again.

Closing Paragraph

I am so excited for you to try this Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice! It’s such a fun, impressive, and unbelievably fast way to get a “gourmet” dinner on the table. It’s a new staple in our house, and I just know you’re going to love it! If you try it, please leave a comment and a rating below!

🎀 Final Thoughts

This is my “I want to go out to a fancy restaurant, but I’m in my sweatpants” meal. It’s so decadent, and that combination of the zesty, bright scampi sauce with the rich, cheesy rice is just everything. It’s pure, delicious magic, and I hope it makes your weeknight feel special.