Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients — fresh garlic for that punch of flavor, high-quality Parmesan for depth, and good chicken breasts or thighs for juicy tenderness. I always try to use fresh herbs when I can, but dried works well too, especially when time is tight. The garlic Parmesan rice is my favorite twist because it soaks up the sauce and adds a creamy texture without any heavy cream.
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add them to the skillet in a single layer and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the rice to the skillet and stir to coat it in the garlic butter mixture. Toast the rice lightly for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 15-18 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Once the rice is cooked, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, gently folding it into the rice and sauce. Warm everything together for a couple of minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice, recipe, cooking, food
