Description
A delightful Chicken Scampi recipe served over flavorful garlic Parmesan rice, combining tender chicken strips sautéed in a lemony garlic butter sauce with creamy, cheesy rice for a comforting and elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Scampi
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Garlic Parmesan Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken strips evenly with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Heat the Oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken strips in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned to build depth of flavor.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and white wine if using, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate more flavor.
- Simmer: Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavors.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the unsalted butter until melted and thoroughly combined to create a rich, velvety sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet, tossing them to coat evenly with the sauce, then sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for freshness.
- Prepare Garlic Parmesan Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, chicken broth, and minced garlic.
- Cook the Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the rice, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Plate the Dish: Divide the garlic Parmesan rice evenly among four plates.
- Serve: Top the rice with the chicken scampi strips, spooning extra sauce over the top for maximum flavor.
- Garnish: Finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley to add color and a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the white wine and substitute with additional chicken broth or lemon juice.
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor; minced garlic from a jar can be substituted but may alter the taste.
- If preferred, substitute long-grain white rice with jasmine or basmati rice for a fragrant twist.
- Chicken breasts can be swapped for thighs if a juicier meat is desired.
- To keep the dish dairy-free, omit the butter and Parmesan cheese or use dairy-free alternatives.
