Creamy Chicken Scampi

The Creamy Chicken Scampi is a decadent twist on the classic shrimp version, trading in seafood for tender, juicy strips of chicken. With vibrant bell peppers, a luxurious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce, and just a kiss of spice, this dish is comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly quick to prepare. Ideal for low-carb and keto eaters, it delivers restaurant-quality flavor with simple, wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re serving it over zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly meal or over pasta for a more indulgent take, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The colors, aroma, and creamy texture make it perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special on a weeknight. Get ready to fall in love with each rich, velvety bite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup dry white wine

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• Fresh parsley, for garnish

• Freshly grated Parmesan, for garnish

• Optional: cooked pasta or zoodles for serving

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

2. In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, sauté red onion and bell peppers until tender, about 4-5 minutes.

3. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. Deglaze the pan with white wine, letting it reduce by half.

5. Pour in the heavy cream, stir in Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.

6. Return chicken to the skillet, toss to coat with sauce, and simmer for another 2-3 minutes.

7. Garnish with fresh parsley and more Parmesan before serving. Serve over pasta or zoodles if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 435 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Creamy Chicken Scampi: A Decadent Low-Carb Delight

Creamy Chicken Scampi is a mouthwatering and satisfying twist on a traditional Italian-American classic, bringing together tender chicken, sautéed bell peppers, and a garlic-rich cream sauce all in a keto and low-carb friendly format. This recipe is more than just a quick dinner; it’s an experience of comfort food made healthy. With its beautiful blend of flavors and textures, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or anytime you want to indulge without the guilt.

A Modern Take on a Classic Favorite

Traditionally, scampi dishes are associated with shrimp, butter, garlic, lemon, and white wine. However, this version replaces shrimp with succulent chicken, creating a dish that feels more hearty and satisfying. The creamy scampi sauce elevates it even further by incorporating heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs, resulting in a richer, fuller flavor profile.

The inclusion of colorful bell peppers not only adds sweetness and crunch but also brightens up the dish visually, making it as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate. It’s a perfect balance of protein, fat, and low-carb vegetables, which fits beautifully into ketogenic or low-carb dietary frameworks.

Ideal for Low-Carb and Keto Lifestyles

One of the biggest challenges for those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet is finding meals that are both satisfying and flavorful. Many traditional pasta and rice dishes are off-limits, but this Creamy Chicken Scampi offers all the indulgence of Italian comfort food without the high carb count.

By omitting traditional pasta and optionally serving this dish over spiralized zucchini (zoodles), cauliflower rice, or even spaghetti squash, you create a full-flavored meal that aligns perfectly with dietary goals. The creamy sauce is thickened naturally through reduction and cheese, rather than using flour or starches, ensuring it stays low in carbs without compromising taste or texture.

Flavor Profile and Texture

What makes Creamy Chicken Scampi truly special is its depth of flavor. The chicken is seasoned and seared to perfection, locking in juices and adding a beautiful golden crust. The garlic infuses the dish with bold, aromatic notes, while the dry white wine deglazes the pan, lifting all the flavorful bits left behind from searing the chicken and vegetables.

The cream adds luxurious smoothness, and the Parmesan brings salty, umami richness. Crushed red pepper flakes give just a hint of spice, while the Italian seasoning rounds out the herbal undertones. When combined, these ingredients create a well-balanced sauce that coats each piece of chicken and bell pepper beautifully.

Texture-wise, the dish is a triumph. You get tender pieces of chicken, slightly crisp bell peppers, and a silky, velvety sauce. If you pair it with zoodles, you’ll also enjoy a fresh, slightly crunchy bite that complements the richness of the cream.

Quick and Easy to Prepare

Despite its gourmet appearance and complex flavor, this dish is surprisingly quick and easy to prepare. It takes about 35 minutes from start to finish, making it suitable for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner guests. The steps are straightforward: cook the chicken, sauté the vegetables, make the sauce, and bring everything together.

Another benefit is that it requires just one pan, making cleanup minimal and manageable. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a group of friends, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Versatility in Serving Options

One of the best features of this recipe is its versatility. While it’s perfectly delicious on its own as a creamy chicken skillet, it also pairs beautifully with various bases:

• Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles): A favorite for keto eaters, these absorb the sauce well and offer a fresh counterpoint to the richness of the dish.

• Cauliflower Rice: A great option for those who prefer a grain-like texture without the carbs.

• Shirataki Noodles: Ideal for ultra-low-carb needs, these add volume and texture with virtually zero calories.

• Mashed Cauliflower: For a cozy, comforting meal, mashed cauliflower can act like mashed potatoes, soaking up the creamy sauce beautifully.

• Steamed Vegetables: A lighter side option that complements the richness without adding carbs.

For those not adhering strictly to low-carb diets, you can easily serve this over traditional pasta, rice, or even a crusty piece of bread to soak up the sauce.

Family-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing

Creamy Chicken Scampi is not only keto and low-carb friendly, but also extremely family-friendly. Kids love the creamy sauce and mild flavors, while adults appreciate the depth and richness. It’s a great way to introduce more vegetables into a meal, as the bell peppers are so flavorful in the sauce that even picky eaters tend to enjoy them.

If you’re planning a dinner party or a potluck, this dish is a great candidate. It holds well when reheated and can even be made in advance, giving you flexibility when serving multiple guests.

Make-Ahead Tips and Storage

This dish stores and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep. Here are some useful tips:

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

• Freezing: While cream-based sauces can sometimes separate upon thawing, this dish freezes fairly well. Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Reheat slowly to help the sauce re-emulsify.

Meal prepping a double batch of Creamy Chicken Scampi gives you ready-to-go lunches or dinners that are both satisfying and nutritious.

Tips for Success

• Use high-quality Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and offer superior flavor compared to pre-shredded versions.

• Don’t overcook the chicken: Searing the chicken until just cooked ensures it stays tender when simmered in the sauce.

• Let the wine reduce: Reducing the wine intensifies the flavor and ensures there’s no sharp alcohol taste.

• Balance the sauce: If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a bit of broth or extra cream. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer.

A well-balanced creamy sauce should coat the chicken and vegetables without being overly heavy.

Conclusion:

Creamy Chicken Scampi is a delicious marriage of Italian-American comfort food and modern low-carb cooking. With its rich sauce, tender chicken, and colorful veggies, this dish checks all the boxes flavor, texture, nutrition, and ease of preparation.

Whether you’re following a ketogenic diet or simply looking for a satisfying, wholesome dinner, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your weekly rotation. From its gourmet appeal to its practical one-pan simplicity, it’s no surprise that this Creamy Chicken Scampi has won the hearts (and appetites) of home cooks everywhere.