Description

This Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits is a comforting, soulful meal that brings together tender, flavorful chicken with rich, creamy grits for the ultimate Southern twist on a classic dish.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup stone ground grits
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
Lemon wedges and extra parsley, for serving

Instructions

In a saucepan, bring broth and milk to a simmer. Whisk in grits, cover, and cook 20–25 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy.
Remove from heat and stir in butter, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
Pat chicken dry, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken 5–6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Reduce heat, add butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in broth and lemon juice. Simmer 2–3 minutes, scraping browned bits. Return chicken with juices, toss, and stir in parsley and Parmesan.
Serve chicken and sauce over creamy grits. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute milk with broth in the grits, add vegetables like spinach or asparagus, or swap chicken for shrimp. Stir grits often for smoothness and remove chicken as soon as cooked to keep it tender.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 520
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 860mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 115mg

Keywords: chicken scampi, creamy parmesan grits, southern recipe, comfort food