Description
Craving a quick, flavor-packed dinner that tastes like it came from a restaurant? This Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is a buttery, garlicky dream that’s surprisingly easy to make. Sautéed chicken in a lemon garlic scampi sauce served over creamy parmesan rice makes for one of the most satisfying easy dinner ideas out there. Perfect for weeknight meals, lazy Sundays, or when you’re out of healthy snack or quick dinner options, this dish fits the bill every time. Whether you’re after comfort food ideas or a foolproof easy recipe, this one deserves a spot on your go-to list.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups chicken broth, divided
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Slice the chicken into thin, even strips and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.
3. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
4. Lower the heat and add another tablespoon of butter. Sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add lemon juice and ½ cup chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
6. Return the chicken to the pan and coat it in the sauce. Keep warm.
7. In a separate saucepan, melt the remaining butter and sauté a bit of garlic. Add the uncooked rice and toast for 2 minutes.
8. Pour in the remaining 1½ cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until rice is cooked.
9. Stir in grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning as needed.
10. Serve the rice on plates or in bowls, topped with the chicken and spoonfuls of scampi sauce. Garnish with more parsley and parmesan if desired.
Notes
Toasting the rice before adding broth enhances its flavor and keeps the grains from getting mushy.
Use freshly grated parmesan for best texture—it melts smoother than pre-packaged cheese.
For added brightness, grate a bit of lemon zest over the finished dish before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, garlic parmesan rice, scampi chicken, chicken and rice, weeknight meal, comfort food