Tender, golden chicken cooked in a bright garlic-lemon butter sauce, served over creamy, savory Garlic Parmesan Rice. It’s a comforting one-pan-style dinner with plenty of flavor.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1½ lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp all-purpose flour, optional, for light coating

For the Scampi Sauce

2 tbsp butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
½ cup heavy cream
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
¼ tsp black pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

For the Garlic Parmesan Rice

1 cup long-grain white rice
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp salt, or to taste
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Optional Garnish

Lemon slices
Extra Parmesan
Fresh parsley
Red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.

If they are very thick, carefully slice them horizontally into thinner cutlets. This helps them cook evenly.

Season both sides with:

Italian seasoning
Paprika
Garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper

If using flour, lightly coat each piece and shake off the excess.

2. Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken in a single layer.

Cook for approximately 4–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden brown and cooked through.

The chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) internally.

Transfer the chicken to a plate and loosely cover it.

Don’t clean the skillet—the browned bits left behind add excellent flavor to the sauce.

3. Make the Scampi Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium.

Add the butter to the same skillet.

Once melted, add the minced garlic.

Cook for about 30–45 seconds, stirring constantly. Don’t let the garlic burn.

Add the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Add:

Lemon juice
Heavy cream
Italian seasoning
Black pepper
Red pepper flakes

Stir well.

4. Add Parmesan

Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2–4 minutes.

Reduce the heat to low.

Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth.

Taste and adjust the seasoning.

5. Make the Garlic Parmesan Rice

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the rice.

Rinse the rice under cool water until the water runs mostly clear.

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

Add the minced garlic.

Cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the rinsed rice and stir for 1–2 minutes to lightly toast it.

6. Cook the Rice

Add:

Chicken broth
Italian seasoning
Salt
Black pepper

Bring to a gentle boil.

Reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.

Cook for approximately 15–18 minutes, or according to the rice package directions.

Don’t repeatedly open the lid while the rice cooks.

Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes.

🧀 7. Finish the Rice

Fluff the rice gently with a fork.

Stir in the grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.

If you want it creamier, add 1 tbsp butter and mix until melted.

Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

8. Combine & Serve

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the creamy scampi sauce.

Spoon the sauce over the chicken.

Let it warm gently for 1–2 minutes.

Place a generous serving of Garlic Parmesan Rice onto each plate.

Top with the chicken and plenty of the creamy garlic-lemon sauce.

Garnish with:

Fresh parsley
Parmesan
Lemon slices
Red pepper flakes, if desired

Tips for the Best Chicken Scampi

Don’t overcook the chicken

Use a thermometer and remove the chicken when it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Don’t burn the garlic

Garlic only needs about 30–45 seconds before the liquid is added.

Use fresh lemon juice

Fresh lemon gives the sauce a much brighter flavor than bottled lemon juice.

Add Parmesan over low heat

Very high heat can make cheese sauces become grainy.

Let the rice rest

The 5-minute resting period allows the rice to finish steaming and gives you fluffier grains.

Easy Variations

Spicy Chicken Scampi

Add extra red pepper flakes or a small amount of chili powder.

Vegetable Chicken Scampi

Add spinach, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, or zucchini to the sauce.

Shrimp & Chicken Scampi

Add cooked shrimp during the final few minutes for a seafood-and-chicken combination.

Extra Lemon

Add a little extra lemon juice and fresh lemon zest for a brighter flavor.

Storage

Store the chicken, sauce, and rice in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until thoroughly hot.

Add a small splash of chicken broth when reheating the sauce or rice if they have thickened.

Q&A

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and remain juicy.

Can I make this without heavy cream?

Yes. You can use half-and-half or evaporated milk, although the sauce will be slightly lighter.

Can I use brown rice?

Yes, but brown rice requires a longer cooking time and usually more liquid. Follow the package directions.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes. Skip the searing step and add the cooked chicken to the sauce near the end, just long enough to heat it through.

Why is my sauce too thin?

Let it simmer gently for a few more minutes. Parmesan will also help thicken it.

Why did my sauce become grainy?

The heat may have been too high when the Parmesan was added. Keep the heat low and add the cheese gradually.

Can I freeze this dish?

The chicken and rice can be frozen, but the creamy Parmesan sauce may change texture after freezing. For the best result, make the sauce fresh.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes. Skip the flour or use a certified gluten-free flour, and make sure your broth and other packaged ingredients are gluten-free.

Quick Recipe Card

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30–35 minutes
Total: About 45–50 minutes
Servings: 4–6

Golden chicken + creamy garlic-lemon Parmesan sauce + buttery garlic Parmesan rice = a delicious comfort-food dinner.