What happens when golden, garlicky chicken meets a buttery herb sauce and creamy parmesan rice? You get a plateful of comfort and flavor in every bite. This Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table without needing an invitation. It’s the savory, saucy kind of dinner that feels indulgent yet totally doable on a weeknight.

The chicken is pan-seared to a perfect golden crisp, nestled over a bed of rich, creamy rice that’s heavy on garlic and parmesan—because why hold back? A glistening, pepper-flecked scampi sauce coats everything with citrusy butter, herbs, and just enough heat to wake up your tastebuds. It’s a restaurant-style experience made in your kitchen, no reservations required.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Creating this delicious Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice is all about layering textures and flavors, and having the right tools makes that so much easier.

Cast Iron or Heavy Skillet: Essential for getting that golden sear on your chicken. It retains heat beautifully and develops a flavor-packed crust.
Medium Saucepan: For preparing the rice—you want a pot that allows even cooking for that luscious, creamy finish.
Microplane or Garlic Press: Because fresh garlic is the backbone of this dish, you’ll need a tool that helps you finely grate or mince it effortlessly.
Zester: For the lemon zest in the scampi sauce—a punch of citrus that brightens up the buttery richness.
Whisk and Silicone Spatula: You’ll use these to emulsify your scampi sauce and stir the rice without breaking it.

Taking the time to prep each component with the proper tools means you’re setting yourself up for a smooth cooking experience—and a dinner that tastes like it came from your favorite bistro.

Ingredients for the Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice

Each ingredient in this dish plays a key role in delivering bold, layered flavors that balance comfort and vibrancy.

Chicken Breast (boneless, skinless): The star protein, sliced into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking.
Garlic (fresh cloves): Essential for both the scampi sauce and creamy rice. It delivers depth and an aromatic punch.
Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated): Infuses the rice with creamy, salty richness.
Butter (unsalted): Used generously in the sauce and rice for a velvety texture.
Olive Oil: Helps get a crisp sear on the chicken and forms the base of the sauce.
Heavy Cream: Creates the creamy body of the rice; adds richness and smoothness.
Chicken Broth: Adds flavor depth to the rice while keeping it light.
Lemon (zest and juice): Brings freshness and acidity to balance the buttery sauce.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch adds subtle heat.
Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped for herbaceous color and brightness.
Salt & Black Pepper: For seasoning throughout.
Long Grain White Rice: Acts as the flavorful base that soaks up all that garlicky, cheesy goodness.

How To Make the Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a hot skillet with olive oil, sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Rice

In a medium saucepan, melt butter and add minced garlic. Once fragrant, stir in the rice and toast slightly. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until rice is fluffy and liquid is absorbed.

Step 3: Make it Creamy

Once the rice is cooked, stir in heavy cream, grated parmesan, and a pinch of salt. Simmer until creamy and thickened, then remove from heat.

Step 4: Prepare the Scampi Sauce

In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt butter with olive oil. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and juice. Whisk until emulsified, then toss the chicken back into the pan to coat.

Step 5: Assemble the Plate

Spoon the creamy garlic parmesan rice onto a plate. Top with scampi-coated chicken. Drizzle extra sauce over the top and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

How to Serve and Store Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice

This dish is best served immediately while hot, allowing the creamy rice to hold its perfect texture and the scampi sauce to stay glossy and vibrant. Plate it generously, letting the buttery sauce run into the rice to soak up every drop.

Pair it with something green like roasted asparagus or a fresh Italian grinder salad for contrast, or simply enjoy it on its own as a one-plate comfort meal.

To store leftovers, place the chicken and rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the rice and gently warm in a skillet or microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of rice works best for this dish?

Long grain white rice holds up best to the creaminess and stays fluffy. Jasmine rice is also a great substitute.

Can I use pre-minced garlic?

You can, but fresh garlic brings out a more aromatic and vibrant flavor that’s key to this recipe.

Is there a way to make it lighter?

Yes! Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and reduce butter slightly. It’ll still be creamy but with fewer calories.

Can I swap the chicken for shrimp?

Absolutely. Shrimp works wonderfully here. Just sear them for 2-3 minutes until pink, and follow the same scampi steps.

How spicy is the scampi sauce?

It has just a kiss of heat from the red pepper flakes. If you like it spicier, double the amount or add cayenne.

Can I freeze this dish?

It’s not ideal. The cream and rice texture change after freezing, so fresh or refrigerated leftovers are best.

Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If you love the rich flavor of garlic butter and creamy finishes, you’re going to enjoy these too.

Try the Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta for a fun, bite-sized twist on the chicken-and-cream combo. Or if you’re in the mood for a bolder kick, the One Skillet Smoky Cajun BBQ Chicken Pasta brings both heat and comfort in one pan.

Looking for a cozy one-pot solution? The One Pot French Onion Chicken Rice delivers deep, caramelized flavors with minimal cleanup. And don’t miss out on the Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken—perfect for effortless weekday dinners.

For something with a nostalgic twist, the Cracker Barrel Homemade Chicken Dumplings Recipe will take you back to classic comfort food territory.

Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out

You can save this to your comfort dinner boards for next time. Just hit the Pin button.

If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you play with the sauce? Add mushrooms? Leave a comment below or tag me.

Want more? I share my latest meals and inspirations daily over on Pinterest: LadyPlate Pinterest Recipes

Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice

Author: Julia Koch
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Chicken Scampi with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Rice brings together golden-seared chicken and rich, garlicky rice in one comforting, restaurant-worthy meal. A buttery lemon herb scampi sauce wraps each bite in bold, vibrant flavor, while the creamy parmesan rice serves as the perfect base to soak it all up. It’s hearty, fresh, and ready to impress any night of the week.

Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high and sear the chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and add minced garlic. Once fragrant, stir in rice and toast for 1 minute.

3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

4. Stir in heavy cream, grated parmesan, and a pinch of salt. Cook on low until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency. Remove from heat.

5. In the same skillet used for chicken, melt butter with olive oil. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Whisk to emulsify.

6. Return chicken to the skillet and toss in the scampi sauce until evenly coated.

7. Plate creamy garlic parmesan rice and top with scampi-coated chicken. Drizzle extra sauce and garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

Let the rice rest covered after cooking to finish steaming and soften further.

Use freshly grated parmesan for best melting and flavor.

If the scampi sauce separates, whisk in a bit of hot water to re-emulsify.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 520
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 115mg

Keywords: chicken scampi, creamy rice, garlic parmesan