What is Southern Chicken Scampi?

It’s a twist on classic scampi usually made with shrimp using sliced chicken breast, lemon, garlic, and butter, all served over rich, creamy Parmesan grits instead of pasta.

Can I make chicken scampi without wine?

Absolutely. Just swap the wine with low-sodium chicken broth. You’ll still get the brightness from lemon and depth from garlic and butter.

What’s the best cheese for creamy grits?

Parmesan works beautifully here nutty, salty, and smooth when melted. For extra richness, try mixing in white cheddar or cream cheese.

Can I use shrimp instead of chicken?

Yes! This recipe works just as well with shrimp. Just sauté the shrimp until pink and cooked through about 3–4 minutes.

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits for Ultimate Comfort

Stuffani Borjat

June 30, 2025

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits served over creamy parmesan grits

Jump to Recipe

This Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits wasn’t something I grew up eating—but it sure tastes like home now. It started one night with leftover grits and a lemon in the fridge.

I threw in garlic, wine, and sliced chicken, and something magical happened: bright, buttery, bold Southern comfort in a bowl.

The creamy grits soak up the garlicky pan sauce like they were made for each other. Now, it’s one of my most-requested easy Southern dinners especially when paired with cheesy garlic chicken wraps for the full comfort food experience.

Table of Contents

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits Guide

Ingredients

For the Chicken Scampi:
1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
¼ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Creamy Parmesan Grits:
1 cup stone-ground grits
4 cups water or chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Start the grits
Bring the water (or broth) and milk to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the grits. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Stirring creamy parmesan grits in saucepan

Step 2: Finish the grits
Once the grits are tender and thick, stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, butter, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything melts into creamy perfection. Cover and keep warm while you prepare the chicken.

Mixing parmesan, cream, and butter into thick grits

Step 3: Sauté aromatics
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, shallot, and crushed red pepper. Sauté for about 1 minute, just until everything smells rich and fragrant.

Sautéing garlic, shallots, and red pepper flakes in butter and olive oil

Step 4: Cook the chicken
Add in the sliced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Let it cook for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Sautéing garlic chicken for Southern chicken scampi

Step 5: Make the pan sauce
Pour in the wine (or broth), lemon juice, and zest. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to slightly reduce. Stir in fresh parsley and remove from heat.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Spoon the warm, creamy grits into bowls. Top with chicken scampi and a generous drizzle of that garlicky pan sauce. I love pairing this dish with comforting bacon onion tomato pie or something fresh like cucumber ranch crack salad to balance the richness.

serving Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits

What Makes This Southern Chicken Scampi So Satisfying

Bright flavor meets creamy Southern comfort

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits:

Garlic and shallots give the chicken real depth without overpowering it.
Lemon juice and zest brighten the sauce so it feels light, not heavy.
Fresh parsley cuts the richness and adds that final clean finish.

Savory sauce meets cheesy grits

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits:

Grits simmer slowly with milk and broth, building flavor right from the base.
Cream and Parmesan melt in for a silky, spoonable texture.
When topped with garlicky chicken and pan sauce it’s rich, balanced, and irresistible.

It’s the kind of comfort meal we love after banana berry parfait sundaes, or next to easy pancake sausage breakfast bake for an unexpected dinner twist.

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits Variations

Quick Ingredient Swaps

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits:

No chicken breast? Try chicken thighs or even shrimp for a twist.
No white wine? Chicken broth works perfectly in its place.
No heavy cream? Use half-and-half or extra milk for a lighter version.

Simple Add-Ons

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits:

Stir in sautéed spinach or blistered tomatoes for a veggie boost.
Sprinkle in a pinch of Cajun seasoning for added depth.
Top with extra lemon zest or a drizzle of hot honey to finish.

Use what you have on hand—this dish is flexible.

We love serving it with cheesy garlic chicken wraps on a cozy night or cucumber ranch crack salad when we want something crisp and fresh on the side.

Serving and Storing Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits

How to Serve It

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits:
Serve warm in shallow bowls with a spoon to catch every bit of sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, or a pinch of extra Parmesan.
Pair with banana berry parfait sundaes for a sweet finish.
Or serve with comforting bacon onion tomato pie to keep things savory and satisfying.

How to Store It

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits:
Cool completely before storing in separate airtight containers one for chicken, one for grits.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or broth to loosen grits when reheating.
You can freeze the chicken scampi (without grits) for up to 2 months.
Reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring often to maintain that creamy texture.

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FAQs About Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits

What is Southern Chicken Scampi?
It’s a twist on classic scampi usually made with shrimp using sliced chicken breast, lemon, garlic, and butter, all served over rich, creamy Parmesan grits instead of pasta.
Can I make chicken scampi without wine?
Absolutely. Just swap the wine with low-sodium chicken broth. You’ll still get the brightness from lemon and depth from garlic and butter.
What’s the best cheese for creamy grits?
Parmesan works beautifully here nutty, salty, and smooth when melted. For extra richness, try mixing in white cheddar or cream cheese.
Can I use shrimp instead of chicken?
Yes! This recipe works just as well with shrimp. Just sauté the shrimp until pink and cooked through about 3–4 minutes.

Conclusion

This Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits has quickly become one of our most comforting meals. It’s bright from the lemon, bold from the garlic, and smooth as silk thanks to those cheesy grits.

Whether it started as a clean-out-the-fridge dinner or a craving for something cozy, this dish is now on repeat in our kitchen. Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits.

Southern Chicken Scampi with Creamy Parmesan Grits for Ultimate Comfort

Author: Stuffani Borjat
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern American

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Description

A Southern twist on classic scampi—this chicken is sautéed in garlic, lemon, and butter, then served over creamy Parmesan grits for the perfect comfort meal.