Let’s talk about a little something I like to call “dinner magic.” You know—the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell like comfort, earns you compliments from picky eaters, and (bonus!) doesn’t leave your kitchen looking like a tornado passed through. Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is exactly that kind of meal.
With golden chicken, buttery garlic sauce, and a bed of cheesy, flavorful rice, this dish is a warm hug in a skillet—and it’s ready in under an hour. Perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday suppers, or those “I-need-something-hearty-but-easy” moments we all have. Plus, if you love baked Parmesan chicken and rice, this stovetop version might just win your heart even faster.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice
This dish checks all the boxes:
✔️ Family-friendly
✔️ One-skillet meal (because who loves doing dishes? Not me!)
✔️ Packed with flavor and texture
✔️ Cozy enough for fall, but light enough for spring
And let’s be real—anything that starts with butter, garlic is off to a fabulous start, right?
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 1 stick (½ cup) butter
- 2 tbsp minced fresh garlic
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 ½ cups chicken broth
For the Rice:
- 1 ½ cups uncooked white rice
Finishing Touches:
Let’s Cook This Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice!
1. Sizzle That Chicken
Season your chicken tenderloins with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a large nonstick skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium. Add the chicken and sauté until it’s golden brown and cooked through—about 4–5 minutes per side.
Once they’re done, take them out of the skillet and keep them warm (a foil tent works great here).
2. Make That Dreamy Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet (no need to clean it—those little brown bits are flavor gold), melt the butter. Add in the garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Sauté for about 3 minutes—just enough for the garlic to mellow and infuse the butter.
Turn up the heat to medium-high and pour in the white wine. Stir vigorously (yes, like you mean it!) to emulsify the sauce. Let it bubble away until reduced by half—this should take around 5 minutes. Before moving on, scoop out 2 tablespoons of this heavenly sauce and set it aside. Trust me, you’ll want it later.
3. Toast and Simmer the Rice
Toss the uncooked rice right into the skillet with the remaining sauce. Stir and cook for 3–4 minutes, letting the rice get a little toasty. This step adds a delicious nutty flavor.
Next, pour in the chicken broth, bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let the rice simmer for 20 minutes, stirring once or twice early on—but don’t overdo it. Think gentle encouragement, not micromanagement.
4. Bring It All Together
Once your rice is tender and has soaked up all that garlicky goodness, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top. Then, nestle your golden chicken tenders back into the pan, right on top of the rice. Drizzle that reserved pan sauce over the chicken, cover the skillet, and let it all rest off the heat for 5 minutes. The flavors will marry, and your kitchen will smell like an Italian bistro.
Optional (but encouraged): Top with more Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a little flair.
Aneta’s Little Chicken Story
This dish earned a permanent spot in my dinner rotation after a chaotic week of school pickups, dance rehearsals, and let’s be honest—more than one “we’re out of clean socks” crisis. I threw it together on a whim, hoping it’d be edible. My husband literally licked his plate (not proud, just stating facts). Since then, it’s become a dinner MVP.
Quick Tips for Chicken Scampi Success
- Use tenderloins for quicker cooking and consistent texture. But if all you’ve got is chicken breasts, just slice them thin.
- Watch that garlic! Keep the heat gentle during the sauté step so it doesn’t burn. Browned = great. Burnt = bitter.
FAQs: Your Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice Questions, Answered
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Sure, but you’ll need to adjust the cook time and add a bit more broth. Brown rice takes longer to soften, so keep that in mind.
How do I store leftovers?
Pop them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This makes amazing meal prep—just reheat gently with a splash of broth or water to bring back the moisture.
Is wine necessary for Chicken Scampi?
Not at all! For a non-alcoholic version, simply substitute the white wine with an equal amount of chicken broth. To mimic the wine’s acidity and depth, consider adding a tablespoon of white or cider vinegar to the broth. This combination will maintain the dish’s rich and tangy flavor without compromising on taste.
Is this similar to baked parmesan chicken and rice?
It has a lot of the same cozy vibes, but it’s made on the stovetop and the flavors lean more garlicky and buttery than cheesy-baked. Think of it as the fancy, faster cousin.
Conclusion
Whether you’re wrangling kids, juggling a packed workday, or just craving something that tastes like it took way more effort than it did, Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is your answer.
Comforting, simple, and packed with flavor—it’s a meal that brings people together. Try it this week, and don’t be surprised if it makes a regular appearance on your menu.
Because some nights, all you need is a little Chicken Magic. 💫🍗
More Chicken Magic You’ll Love
If you enjoyed Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice, here are a few more crave-worthy chicken dishes that bring the same comfort and ease to your table:
- ✅ Try the rich, buttery flavor of this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet — a quick, skillet-friendly dinner that feels like a steakhouse treat without leaving your kitchen.
- ✅ Cozy up with a classic like Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Delight — a family favorite that’s cheesy, creamy, and oh-so comforting.
- ✅ Craving bold flavor with a garlicky twist? Don’t miss the Creamy Peri Peri Chicken Delight with Garlic Rice — it’s the perfect way to spice things up on a weeknight.
Explore one, try them all, and keep that dinnertime magic alive! 💫
Print
Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is a buttery, garlicky, one-skillet wonder your whole family will devour. Tender chicken tenderloins are seared to golden perfection and served over creamy Parmesan-infused rice. This cozy dish brings restaurant flavor to your weeknight table in under an hour!
Ingredients
Chicken
1 lb chicken tenderloins
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
1 stick (½ cup) butter
2 tbsp fresh minced garlic
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp salt
½ cup dry white wine
3½ cups chicken broth
Rice
1½ cups uncooked white rice
Other
½ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Season the Chicken: Sprinkle chicken tenderloins with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Cook the Chicken: In a large nonstick skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and sauté until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Cook for 3 minutes (don’t brown the garlic).
Add Wine: Increase heat to medium-high. Pour in wine and stir vigorously. Cook for 5 minutes, reducing the mixture by half. Reserve 2 tbsp of the sauce.
Toast the Rice: Add uncooked rice to the remaining sauce in the skillet. Stir and toast for 3–4 minutes until lightly golden.
Simmer: Add chicken broth, bring to a low boil, then reduce to medium-low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir once or twice during the first 15 minutes.
Finish It Off: Sprinkle Parmesan over the rice, then place the cooked chicken on top. Drizzle reserved pan sauce over the chicken. Cover and let rest off heat for 5 minutes.
Serve: Garnish with more Parmesan and parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
You can use chicken breasts sliced into strips if tenderloins aren’t available.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American , Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 530 Kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg