Description
This creamy garlic rice dish with tender, seared chicken is a comforting, one-skillet meal that’s full of bold, savory flavors. The rice is rich and cheesy, with just the right amount of heat and herbs to make it irresistibly satisfying.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Scampi:
- 450 g chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- For the Garlic Parmesan Rice:
- 1½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté until fragrant (1–2 minutes).
- Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and lemon juice. Scrape up browned bits and simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in uncooked rice and toast lightly for 2–3 minutes to absorb the garlic butter mixture.
- Add remaining 3 cups chicken broth and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a gentle boil, cover, and simmer on low for 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Return cooked chicken to skillet and let sit for 3–5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Stir in a splash of milk or cream for richer rice.
- Add spinach or peas in the last 5 minutes of rice cooking.
- Increase crushed red pepper or add cayenne for heat.
- Use shrimp instead of chicken—add at the end to avoid overcooking.
- Use brown rice—adjust broth and cooking time accordingly.
- Reheat with a splash of broth to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
