Description
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi is a flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of white wine, served over perfectly cooked Parmesan-infused rice. This comforting and elegant meal combines juicy pan-seared chicken with a creamy, savory scampi sauce and fluffy rice, garnished with fresh parsley for an eye-catching finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce & Rice
- 1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Season and Cook Chicken: Season the chicken tenderloins evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the chicken until fully cooked through and lightly browned, about 6-8 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the fresh minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the red pepper flakes, salt, dry white wine, and chicken broth. Let the sauce simmer gently to reduce slightly, then reserve about 2 tablespoons of the sauce for later drizzling over the chicken.
- Cook the Rice: Add the uncooked white rice directly into the skillet with the remaining sauce. Stir briefly to ensure the rice is coated with the sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 18-20 minutes.
- Finish the Dish: Once the rice is tender, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the rice and stir it in to melt and incorporate. Arrange the cooked chicken tenderloins on top of the Parmesan rice. Drizzle the reserved sauce over the chicken to enhance flavor and moisture. Cover the skillet and allow the dish to sit for a few minutes to meld the flavors. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use a dry white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio to ensure the best flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Make sure to reserve some sauce before adding rice to drizzle over the chicken for added moisture and taste.
- Stir the rice occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and has superior flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of heat based on your preference.
- Leftover chicken scampi can be refrigerated and reheated; add a splash of chicken broth to moisten the rice when reheating.
