Chicken Scampi with Parmesan Orzo - Under 30 Minute Dinner!

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil reduces saturated fat content.

white wine

💰Cheaper: chicken broth

Chicken broth provides flavor without alcohol.

parmesan cheese

💰Cheaper: pecorino cheese

Pecorino is often less expensive and offers a similar taste.

chicken breast

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Chicken thighs are cheaper and juicier.

Cut thick chicken breast into cubes.

Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper on both sides and set aside.

In a measuring cup, combine 1 cup of water with 1 tbsp of homemade chicken gravy mix (or 1 cup of chicken stock with 2 tsp of flour) and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sear the chicken in batches to avoid steaming, cooking until browned.

Remove the first batch of chicken and add the next batch to the skillet until all chicken is cooked and browned.

Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, tossing everything together.

Deglaze the skillet with 1/2 cup of dry white wine, allowing it to evaporate and reduce by half.

Add the chicken stock mixture to the skillet and reduce by half again.

Add lemon juice to the sauce, adjusting the amount to taste, and continue cooking.

Add 1 tbsp of butter to the chicken stock mixture (not shown in the clip).

Cook orzo in chicken stock, then drain and return to the pot.

Add a couple tablespoons of butter and Parmesan cheese to the orzo and mix well.

Once the sauce is thick and glossy, remove from heat and stir in chili paste (or a pinch of hot pepper flakes) and parsley for color.

Mix everything together and serve with the Parmesan butter orzo.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens