Description
This Irresistible Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender seared chicken with a luscious, garlicky Parmesan-infused creamy rice. Perfect for an easy yet impressive weeknight dinner, it balances savory, creamy, and herbaceous notes for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs Chicken breast or tenderloins
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
Rice and Sauce
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Long-grain white rice
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season it evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to ensure flavorful meat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4 minutes until the underside is golden-brown. Flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes until cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Toast the Rice: Add the rice to the skillet with the garlic and stir to coat the grains well with oil and garlic. Toast the rice for 1-2 minutes to bring out its nutty flavor.
- Cook the Rice: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice absorbs all the liquid and is tender.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese into the cooked rice mixture. Mix until the sauce is well combined, creamy, and velvety.
- Combine Chicken and Rice: Place the seared chicken back on top of the creamy rice in the skillet. Cover the skillet and let it rest for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with freshly chopped parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot for a rich and comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast with turkey or firm tofu for different protein options.
- Use vegetable oil in place of olive oil for a more neutral flavor or to make it dairy-free by replacing butter with additional olive oil.
- Brown rice can be used but will require longer cooking time and slightly more broth.
- For a vegetarian or vegan version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste preferences.
- Optional red pepper flakes add a nice subtle heat, omit if you prefer a milder dish.
