Description
A quick and flavorful skillet dinner featuring juicy chicken breasts simmered in a garlicky lemon butter sauce, served with creamy garlic parmesan rice. This dish feels restaurant-worthy yet comes together easily for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Scampi:
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp paprika
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3 tbsp butter
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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½ cup chicken broth
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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1 tsp lemon zest
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1 tbsp chopped parsley
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½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Garlic Parmesan Rice:
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1 tbsp butter
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 cup white rice
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2 cups chicken broth
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½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
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Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Set aside.
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In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1–2 minutes. Add chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits. Stir in lemon zest and simmer 3–4 minutes. Return chicken and simmer briefly.
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For rice: melt butter in a saucepan, sauté garlic, then add rice. Toast 1 minute, pour in broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover. Simmer 15 minutes. Fluff, stir in parmesan and parsley.
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Serve rice topped with chicken and drizzled with lemon butter sauce. Garnish with red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Lightly dredging chicken in flour gives extra crispiness.
Fresh lemon zest adds brightness, but bottled juice works.
Add cream for a richer sauce.
Rice swaps: jasmine or cauliflower rice.
Parmesan is essential for creamy, salty flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American-Italian