Chicken Scampi
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This easy Chicken Scampi recipe is a flavorful, restaurant-quality dinner made with tender chicken sautéed in a buttery garlic white wine sauce and tossed with pasta—perfect for a quick weeknight meal that feels extra special!
There is no comfort like a rich pasta dish, am I right? Silky, garlicky scampi sauce with juicy chicken and parmesan cheese may seem so simple – and it is – but it is packed with flavor. Linguine noodles are a household favorite for this chicken scampi pastas, but can be easily swapped for your own favorite.
Butter, garlic, white wine and fresh parsley combine to really elevate the distinct taste of this crowd pleasing dish. Traditionally made with seafood, scampi is a hearty dish that offers comfort and a happy tummy, plus we love the flavor the seasoned chicken adds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chicken scampi is simple to prepare .
- This dish is high in protein!
- Have a filling, nutritious meal ready and on the table in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients for Chicken Scampi
- Pasta – We love using linguine for chicken scampi, but you can use any type of pasta you have on hand like spaghetti or angel hair pasta. Use your favorite gluten-free noodles if you need to make this a gluten friendly meal.
- Butter – Adds flavor and a richness to the sauce.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Adds great flavor to the chicken as it is pan fried.
- Chicken breast – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size cubes will cook perfectly and add the best flavor to this pasta dish.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds a beautiful burst of flavor to chicken scampi.
- Red pepper flakes – Add a pinch if you like a little bit of heat added to your dish.
- Seasonings – Italian seasoning, salt and ground black pepper. Italian seasoning is typically made up of a combination of dried herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme.
- White wine – For a dish like chicken scampi, choose a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon blanc. This is also great for deglazing your pan after you’ve cooked the chicken. If you prefer to cook without wine, you can use chicken broth in it’s place.
- Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice adds some brightness to this dish. Squeeze in a little extra if you have used chicken broth in place of white wine to include the acidity that the wine adds.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds depth of flavor to the chicken scampi.
- Parsley – Adding fresh chopped parsley to this dish provides color and depth of flavor.
How To Make Chicken Scampi
- Prepare noodles to al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in olive oil and add 2 Tablespoons butter. Add the cubed chicken to oil and melted butter, cooking for 5-6 minutes or until the chicken is mostly cooked.
- Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and stir and cook for another minute.
- Add white wine, red pepper flakes (if using) and bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes or until wine reduces by about half.
- Stir in remaining butter, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and parsley. When the butter is melted, add cooked linguine noodles and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips
- The pasta will continue to cook while you toss it with the sauce and chicken, so be sure to boil it only to al dente so it doesn’t end up too soft.
Storage and Reheating
Fridge: Store leftover chicken scampi in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: If you have too many leftovers to finish, freeze chicken scampi in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat, add a little water or broth to a pan or bowl, cover and heat on the stove top or in the microwave.
Your family will think they are fine dining in an Italian restaurant tonight! Rich sauce and juicy chicken make the perfect combination for this heart warming meal that your whole family will love.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Chicken Scampi Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces linguine noodles or other pasta
- 4 Tablespoons butter divided
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- pinch red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- ½ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare linguine noodles according to package directions. Cook to al dente. Drain the pasta.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in olive oil and add 2 Tablespoons butter. When butter is melted add the cubed chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the chicken is mostly cooked.
- Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and stir and cook for another 1 minute.
- Add wine, red pepper flakes (if using) and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until wine reduces by about half
- Stir in remaining 2 Tablespoons butter, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and parsley. When the butter is melted add cooked linguine noodles and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Tips
Nutrition Information
How To Serve Chicken Scampi
Chicken scampi is a filling meal but we love to add a side of garlic bread or breadsticks. This meal is also so good with a side of fork tender roasted broccoli or air fryer asparagus.
A simple green salad always goes a long way and won’t overshadow the chicken scampi. When we are really pressed for time, I might even add some peas straight to the pan while tossing the pasta!
More Great Chicken Pasta Recipes
- Quick and easy, one pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is ready in only 30 minutes. Penne noodles are tossed in a creamy sauce with chicken and just the right amount of cajun spice for a family friendly meal.
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells are a simple comfort food that the whole family will love. A creamy chicken Alfredo mixture topped with melted, gooey cheese inside a jump pasta shell – you can’t go wrong!
- After a big garden harvest or farmer’s market haul, you are definitely going to want to use your colorful veggies to make Chicken Primavera. The creamy sauce, savory chicken and hearty noodles go perfectly with all of your fresh picked produce.
- Have supper ready and on the table in no time when you make Easy Creamy Tuscan Chicken tonight. This dish is loaded with flavor and protein and the creamy sauce really takes it over the top.
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