Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice – Best One-Pan Recipe

If you’re looking for a comforting, restaurant-style dinner that comes together quickly and satisfies the whole family, Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is a must-try. This one-skillet wonder delivers tender chicken seasoned with garlic and seared to perfection, paired with buttery, garlicky rice enriched with parmesan and white wine. The combination is both hearty and elegant — a perfect weeknight dinner or impressive dish for guests. Plus, it’s versatile, budget-friendly, and packed with Italian-inspired flavors that keep everyone coming back for seconds.

What Makes This Chicken Scampi Recipe Stand Out

What sets this Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice apart is its balance of bold flavors and simplicity. The garlic butter sauce, enhanced with dry white wine, elevates basic pantry ingredients into a rich, savory dish. It’s a full meal in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or seasoned foodies, this recipe hits all the marks: it’s quick, full of flavor, and endlessly customizable.

This chicken scampi variation skips the pasta and instead uses rice to soak up every drop of the flavorful scampi sauce — a smart twist that adds comfort-food vibes to this Italian-American classic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Tenderloins: The star protein, tender and quick-cooking, absorbs all the garlicky goodness.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances all the other flavors.
• Garlic Powder: Adds depth to the chicken before it’s seared.
• Olive Oil: Helps create that perfect golden crust on the chicken.
• Butter: Forms the base of the scampi sauce, adding richness and silkiness.
• Fresh Garlic: Key to the signature flavor of scampi — pungent, aromatic, and bold.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle heat that balances the buttery sauce.
• Dry White Wine: Deglazes the pan and infuses the rice with a savory, slightly acidic note.

• White Rice: Soaks up all the scampi sauce, becoming tender, creamy, and flavorful.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and complements the savory profile.
• Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the rice, creating a cheesy, nutty finish that ties everything together.

Substitutions & Dietary Swaps

• Chicken Breasts: Slice into strips if you don’t have tenderloins. Works just as well.
• Shrimp or Scallops: For a more traditional scampi feel, seafood can be substituted one-to-one.
• Brown Rice or Quinoa: A high-fiber alternative; just adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Vegetable Broth: For a vegetarian twist (if you skip the chicken), this is a great sub.
• Lemon Juice + Chicken Broth: If you prefer not to use wine, mix 1 part lemon juice to 7 parts broth.
• Vegan Butter & Dairy-Free Cheese: Great for those avoiding dairy — still rich and flavorful.

How to Make Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice

1. Season the Chicken: Sprinkle chicken tenderloins with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until browned and just cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Base: Add butter, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon salt to the skillet. Sauté for 3 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Deglaze with Wine: Turn heat to medium-high and pour in the white wine. Stir vigorously to emulsify into the butter. Reduce the mixture by half (about 5 minutes). Reserve 2 tablespoons of this pan sauce.
5. Toast the Rice: Stir in uncooked rice. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly toasted.
6. Simmer the Rice: Add chicken broth and remaining salt. Bring to a low boil, then cover and reduce to medium-low. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring once or twice early on.
7. Finish the Dish: Sprinkle parmesan over the rice. Arrange the cooked chicken on top. Drizzle the reserved pan sauce over the chicken. Cover and let it rest off the heat for 5 minutes.
8. Garnish & Serve: Add more parmesan and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Tips to Get It Just Right

• Use Fresh Garlic: Jarred garlic won’t deliver the same punchy flavor. Freshly minced garlic makes all the difference.
• Don’t Skip the Wine: It’s key to achieving restaurant-style flavor. If needed, use the lemon juice substitute.
• Toast the Rice: This simple step adds a nutty flavor and improves texture.
• Reserve That Sauce: Saving a few spoonfuls of the wine-butter sauce enhances the final presentation and flavor of the dish.
• Let It Rest: Allowing the dish to sit before serving lets the flavors meld and the rice finish steaming.
• Avoid Over-Stirring the Rice: Stirring more than twice can make the rice gummy.

Serving Suggestions & Recipe Variations

• Add Greens: Stir in baby spinach, kale, or peas during the last 5 minutes of rice cooking.
• Make It Spicy: Increase red pepper flakes or add a splash of hot sauce.
• Top with Lemon Zest: A fresh finish that cuts through the richness.
• Serve with a Salad: A crisp Caesar or arugula salad balances the savory rice.
• Pair with Wine: Enjoy with a glass of the same dry white wine used in cooking — Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.

• Use Orzo Instead of Rice: For a pasta-style twist, orzo works great. Just cook separately and toss with pan sauce.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Cook the chicken and rice separately, refrigerate, and combine before serving. Add a splash of broth to reheat without drying out.

Mediterranean-Inspired Comfort in One Skillet

While Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is rooted in Italian-American cooking, its bright flavors and one-skillet simplicity give it universal appeal. From weeknight dinners to weekend meals with friends, it’s a dependable go-to that feels special every time. With pantry staples, a little wine, and a lot of garlic, you’re creating something truly memorable — one flavorful forkful at a time.

Bringing It All Together

Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice is the perfect marriage of bold flavors and comfort food simplicity. With juicy pan-seared chicken, buttery garlic rice, and the umami richness of parmesan cheese, this dish feels indulgent yet is easy enough for a weeknight. Whether you’re entertaining or just looking to spice up your dinner routine, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort — all in one skillet.

Its versatility allows you to experiment with ingredients while the foundational flavors stay intact. Plus, the use of rice instead of pasta gives it a comforting Southern twist with a nod to classic Italian technique. Once you try it, this recipe is bound to earn a regular spot in your rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice

More Relevant Recipes

• Creamy Coq au Riesling: A luxurious French-inspired chicken dish cooked with white wine, mushrooms, and cream. Like Chicken Scampi with Garlic Parmesan Rice, this one-skillet meal features tender poultry and a savory wine-based sauce that’s perfect for comfort food lovers.
• Chicken Riesling (White Wine Chicken): This elegant dish showcases chicken cooked in a white wine reduction, similar to the scampi technique. With garlic, herbs, and wine harmonizing beautifully, it’s an ideal match for fans of garlicky, wine-infused poultry recipes.
• Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini: For a lighter, low-carb option, this recipe uses a garlic butter sauce to flavor juicy chicken and sautéed zucchini. It delivers the same richness and garlicky profile as the original rice-based scampi, making it a delicious and healthy variation.

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