If you’re craving a dish that’s both comforting and bursting with flavor, this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how the tender chicken melds beautifully with the rich, buttery garlic sauce and the subtle tang of white wine — it’s like a little Italian getaway right in your kitchen. This recipe works wonders when you want to impress family or guests without spending hours by the stove.
What makes this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe truly special for me is how it balances simplicity with elegance. Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner or a weekend treat, the sauce is packed with fresh garlic and Parmesan magic that you’ll want to spoon over everything. Plus, it’s one of those recipes you can customize easily — which I’ll share more about below — so you can make it work exactly the way you like it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, Flavorful Sauce: The combination of butter, garlic, and Parmesan creates a luscious sauce that’s irresistibly delicious.
- Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile Meal: You can swap chicken for shrimp or adjust spice levels easily to suit your taste.
- One-Pan Cooking: Minimal cleanup means more time enjoying your meal with family and friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe shines on its own, but together they create a symphony of savory goodness. I always recommend using fresh garlic and real Parmesan cheese for the best flavor—trust me, it makes all the difference.
- Chicken Tenderloins: They cook quickly and stay tender, which makes your life easier and dinner faster.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of chicken and sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Enhances the garlicky goodness without overpowering the dish.
- Olive Oil: Adds a fruity, rich base for sautéing the chicken.
- Butter: Key for that creamy, buttery sauce that coats everything perfectly.
- Fresh Minced Garlic: For that punch of aromatic flavor that makes this dish unforgettable.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adds just a little heat — balance is everything here.
- Dry White Wine: The acidity brightens the sauce; I usually go for Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Chicken Broth: Keeps the rice moist and infuses depth into the entire dish.
- Uncooked White Rice: It soaks up the sauce beautifully and rounds out the meal.
- Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese: The star finish that ties together all the flavors.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe to keep it fresh and exciting. It’s super easy to tweak according to what you have on hand or your dietary preferences – and you’ll find each version delicious!
- Shrimp Instead of Chicken: I swapped chicken for shrimp once, and my family went crazy for the seafood twist—it cooks even faster, too!
- Spicy Kick: If you like heat, try adding a pinch more red pepper flakes or even a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Wine-Free Version: When I ran out of white wine, mixing lemon juice with extra chicken broth gave a bright, fresh alternative that worked great.
- Use Brown Rice: For a heartier, nuttier texture and more fiber – just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Start by seasoning your chicken tenderloins generously with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of garlic powder. Heat your olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until it’s fully cooked and beautifully golden, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan—give each piece room to brown nicely. Once done, set the chicken aside but keep those flavorful browned bits in the pan; they’re going to add depth to the sauce!
Step 2: Whip Up the Luscious Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Using the same skillet, melt down the butter over medium heat and toss in the freshly minced garlic. Sauté just until fragrant—about 30 seconds—being careful not to burn it. Then stir in the red pepper flakes and salt before deglazing the pan with white wine, scraping up those tasty browned bits. Add the chicken broth next and let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes until it reduces slightly. Be sure to reserve a couple of tablespoons of this sauce before adding rice; that extra drizzle at the finish really elevates the dish.
Step 3: Cook the Rice Right in the Sauce
This is where the magic happens—the rice soaks up every bit of that garlicky, buttery goodness. Add your uncooked white rice directly into the skillet and give it a quick stir to coat the grains. Pour in the chicken broth and cover the skillet, reducing the heat so the rice can simmer gently. It usually takes around 20 minutes for the rice to become tender, but keep an eye on it to avoid sticking. You’ll find that cooking the rice in the sauce helps it taste incredible, way better than plain water-cooked rice.
Step 4: Bring It All Together with Parmesan and Rest
Once the rice is perfectly tender, sprinkle the fresh grated Parmesan cheese all over it, stirring gently to melt it into the rice. Place the sautéed chicken back on top, then drizzle the reserved sauce over everything. Cover the skillet again and let it rest off the heat for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. This resting step makes the dish even more flavorful and gives the chicken a chance to reabsorb some sauce.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe
- Don’t Rush the Garlic: Sauté fresh minced garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness — I learned the hard way by overcooking it once!
- Use Good Quality Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and gives a creamier texture than pre-grated cheese.
- Keep that Reserved Sauce: Saving a little sauce before the rice cooks is a small step with huge flavor payoff.
- Watch the Rice Closely: Stir occasionally and adjust heat as needed to keep rice from sticking — patience pays off here.
How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish this dish with a sprinkle of extra freshly grated Parmesan and a few chopped fresh parsley leaves—they add a pop of color and freshness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I even squeeze a little lemon juice over the top for brightness, which my guests always ask for seconds of!
Side Dishes
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe is pretty much a full meal on its own, but I love pairing it with a crisp green salad or some roasted asparagus to balance out the richness. Garlic bread or a light Caesar salad also make great companions for soaking up any leftover sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this dish in individual skillets or cast iron pans right at the table — it looks rustic and inviting! Garnishing with edible flowers or thyme sprigs can also add an elegant touch. Plus, layering the chicken on a bed of rice and topping with extra Parmesan gives it that restaurant-quality look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for up to three days. Just be sure to press down so the rice stays moist and the chicken stays juicy — sometimes I add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to freshen it up.
Freezing
Freezing works surprisingly well for this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe. I portion it out into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Keep in mind the rice texture might soften a bit, but the flavors stay intact, which is a lifesaver on busy days.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming leftovers gently in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water. This prevents the rice from drying out and keeps the chicken tender. Microwaving works too — just add a damp paper towel on top and heat in short bursts.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Absolutely! Just slice chicken breasts into strips or medallions and adjust cooking time to ensure they’re cooked through but not dry. Tenderloins cook a bit faster, but breasts work well too if you keep an eye on them.
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What if I don’t want to use wine in the recipe?
No problem! I often substitute the white wine with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice mixed with extra chicken broth to keep that fresh acidity without the alcohol.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free and that you serve the dish with gluten-free rice or another gluten-free grain. This recipe is naturally gluten-free aside from those considerations.
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How can I make this recipe spicier?
Easy — increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper when making the sauce. I recommend adding a little at a time until you hit your preferred spice level.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe holds a special place in my recipe book because it’s both dependable and delightfully indulgent. I love serving it when friends come over since it looks impressive but is really simple to make. Give it a try — I promise you’ll enjoy every bite as much as I do, and soon it might become one of your favorite go-to dinners too!
Print
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Scampi recipe features tender chicken tenderloins sautéed to perfection and served atop flavorful, buttery white rice infused with garlic, white wine, and chicken broth. Finished with a generous sprinkling of fresh Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of a rich garlic butter sauce, it’s a comforting, restaurant-quality meal that’s easy to make in a single skillet.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
- 2 tbsp minced fresh garlic
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as chardonnay, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc)
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
Rice
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
Other
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken tenderloins evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until cooked through and lightly browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about one minute. Stir in the red pepper flakes and salt. Pour in the white wine and chicken broth, then simmer to reduce the sauce slightly. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of this sauce for finishing the dish, then keep the remainder in the skillet.
- Cook the rice: Add the uncooked rice to the skillet with the sauce and stir briefly to coat the grains. Add additional chicken broth as required (total 3 1/2 cups including wine and broth) and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook gently until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid, about 15-20 minutes.
- Finish the dish: Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top and place the cooked chicken pieces on the rice. Drizzle the reserved sauce evenly over the chicken and rice. Cover the skillet and let it stand for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with additional Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh minced garlic for the best and most vibrant flavor.
- To substitute for white wine, mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice with extra chicken broth to maintain acidity and flavor.
- Shrimp can be used instead of chicken for a seafood variation.
- Preferred white wine choices include chardonnay, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc for optimal taste.
