While many people gravitate towards Shrimp Scampi on the menu, I’m all about the Chicken Scampi. It’s just who I am! What I love about making this dish is its simplicity—only a few ingredients, easy enough for even a beginner, but the combination of white wine, garlic, and butter brings bold, sophisticated flavors that make it feel incredibly fancy. Honestly, this Chicken Scampi is way better than anything you’d get at Olive Garden!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders (cut into 1-inch chunks)
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 1/4 sticks butter (divided)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 6-8 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 lb spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- 1 1/2 cups dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (plus wedges for serving)
- 1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and flour.
- Cook chicken: In a pan, heat butter and olive oil. Sear chicken until browned, flipping halfway. Set aside.
- Make sauce: In the same pan, melt butter, sauté garlic, add wine and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes until reduced.
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in remaining butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Return chicken to the pan and add parsley.
- Combine: Toss pasta into the sauce and chicken. Garnish with parmesan and lemon wedges.
NOTES
- The sauce is great for soaking up with bread, so make sure to serve with some crusty bread.
- For leftovers, you can revive the dish with a bit of chicken stock, butter, and wine when reheating.
Enjoy your meal!
