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Chicken Scampi With Garlic Parmesan Rice

A comforting twist on classic shrimp scampi featuring tender chicken in a rich garlic butter sauce served with garlic parmesan rice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the chicken
  • 2 large Chicken Breast Look for organic or free-range for the best flavor
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil A good quality extra virgin olive oil makes all the difference
  • 4 tbsp Butter Use unsalted butter; try grass-fed for a richer taste
  • 4-5 cloves Garlic, minced Fresh garlic is important for flavor
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated Use high-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano for the best flavor
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth Can be substituted with vegetable broth for a lighter taste
  • Salt & Pepper To taste
  • Red Pepper Flakes Optional, for a little heat
For the rice
  • 1 cup Long-Grain Rice Jasmine rice is preferred for its aroma and fluffy texture
  • 1 cup Chicken Broth For cooking rice
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped For garnish

Method
 

Preparation of Rice
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil.
  2. Stir in the long-grain rice, cover, and reduce to low heat. Cook for about 18-20 minutes, until the rice is fluffy.
  3. Let it rest covered for an additional 5 minutes after cooking to steam perfectly.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add them to the pan and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Do not overcrowd the pan; it will cause the chicken to steam instead of sear, so cook in batches if necessary.
Making the Garlic Butter Sauce
  1. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant for about 1 minute.
  3. You want the garlic to be lightly golden, not browned, to avoid bitterness.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Return the chicken to the skillet, add the cooked rice, and fold in the grated Parmesan cheese.
  2. Toss everything together until the rice is coated and heated through.
  3. If the rice seems too dry, add a splash of chicken broth to achieve the desired creaminess.
Serving
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Make-Ahead: Prepare the chicken and garlic butter sauce the night before and just combine everything the next day for a quick dinner. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.