This Chicken Scampi Pasta is a classic Italian-American dish that’s bursting with flavor! It features tender chicken, perfectly cooked spaghetti, and a luscious garlic-lemon butter sauce that’s simply irresistible. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Scampi Pasta Recipe
- Restaurant Quality at Home: This recipe brings the flavors of your favorite Italian restaurant right to your kitchen.
- Quick and Easy: With just 30 minutes from start to finish, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful Sauce: The combination of garlic, lemon, butter, and white wine creates a sauce that’s both light and flavorful.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti: The classic pasta choice for scampi.
- Chicken Tenders: A lean and tender protein that cooks quickly.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the flavors of the dish.
- Flour: Used to dredge the chicken, creating a light crust.
- Olive Oil and Butter: Used for sautéing the chicken and creating the sauce.
- Dry White Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
- Garlic: Provides a pungent kick that complements the other flavors.
- Lemon Zest and Juice: Adds brightness and acidity to the sauce.
- Parsley: Adds freshness and a vibrant green color.
- Parmesan Cheese: A classic topping for scampi.
How to Make Chicken Scampi Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients and Cook the Pasta
Start by prepping your ingredients: chop the garlic, zest and juice the lemons, and chop the parsley. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken
Sauté the chicken in olive oil and butter until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
Deglaze the pan with white wine, then reduce the liquid. Add butter, garlic, lemon zest and juice, and parsley to create the scampi sauce.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Toss the cooked spaghetti with the sauce, top with the chicken, and garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese.
Tips for Making Chicken Scampi Pasta Recipe
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, lemon, and parsley will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Overcooked chicken can be dry. Cook it just until it’s cooked through.
- Adjust the Sauce: If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to thin it out.
How to Serve Chicken Scampi Pasta
- Garnish with Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a must-have topping for scampi.
- Serve with Crusty Bread: Crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the delicious sauce.
- Pair with a Salad: A simple green salad with a lemony vinaigrette complements the flavors of the scampi.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
This dish is best enjoyed fresh and is not recommended for freezing.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop with a little extra butter or pasta water to prevent it from drying out.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of pasta? Yes, you can use linguine, fettuccine, or any other long pasta.
2. Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of tenders? Yes, just cut the chicken breasts into smaller pieces so they cook quickly.
3. How can I make this dish spicier? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
4. Can I add shrimp to this dish? Absolutely! Add cooked shrimp to the sauce along with the chicken.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Chicken Scampi Pasta. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintChicken Scampi with Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main dishes
- Method: Italian
Description
This classic Italian-inspired dish features tender chicken simmered in a creamy white wine sauce with garlic, lemon, and butter. It’s served over spaghetti for a light and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3/4 cup dry white wine (chardonnay or sauvignon blanc)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Chop, zest, juice, and mince all ingredients. Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Drain and return pasta to the pot.
- Sauté chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
- Make sauce: Add remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Deglaze with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes until reduced.
- Finish: Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley. Return chicken to the pan and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water and cooked pasta. Toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- You can use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders.
- If you don’t have white wine, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 500kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 660mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
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