Dinner

Easy Chicken Scampi

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Chicken Scampi brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen! This dish combines tender chicken and angel hair pasta tossed in a velvety garlic butter sauce. Accented with fresh lemon juice, Parmesan, and Asiago cheeses, it’s the perfect blend of savory, tangy, and rich flavors. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, this recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Pair it with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete, satisfying meal. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this Chicken Scampi is guaranteed to impress!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • For the Chicken:
    • 1 lb. chicken breast, diced
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
    • ½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning
    • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 tbsp salted butter
  • For the Pasta & Sauce:
    • 8 oz. angel hair pasta
    • 6 tbsp salted butter, divided
    • 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
    • ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth as a substitute)
    • ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes
    • ½ cup freshly diced tomatoes
    • ¼ cup roughly chopped parsley
    • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
    • ½ cup pasta water
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded from a block
    • ½ cup Asiago cheese, shredded from a block

Directions:

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken dry, then season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and lemon pepper seasoning. Toss with flour to coat.
  2. Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside, covering with foil.
  3. In the same skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes. Add white wine and cook until reduced by half.
  4. Add remaining butter, cooked chicken, red pepper flakes, and parsley. Stir to coat and lower heat. Swirl in 1 tbsp cold butter.
  5. Cook the pasta in boiling water for 4 minutes or until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
  6. Combine pasta water with lemon juice, Parmesan, and Asiago cheese in a jar and shake well.
  7. Add drained pasta to the skillet and pour the cheese mixture on top. Toss with tongs until evenly coated.
  8. Serve with diced tomatoes, lemon wedges, and garlic bread if desired. Garnish with parsley and additional cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 497 kcal | Servings: 4

Chicken Scampi: A Restaurant-Quality Dish for Your Home Kitchen

Chicken Scampi is one of those dishes that exudes elegance and comfort in equal measure. It takes inspiration from the classic shrimp scampi but replaces the seafood with tender chicken breast, making it a versatile option for those who prefer poultry. This dish’s hallmark is its rich and velvety garlic butter sauce, perfectly complementing the delicate angel hair pasta. The result is a meal that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly easy to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions alike.

A Culinary Journey to Italy

Chicken Scampi is deeply rooted in Italian-American cuisine, borrowing flavors and techniques from traditional Italian recipes. The word “scampi” originally referred to a type of small crustacean often cooked in garlic, butter, and wine. Over time, the recipe was adapted to suit various tastes and ingredients, giving birth to modern interpretations like Chicken Scampi.

This dish embodies the simplicity and richness that Italian cuisine is known for. It highlights fresh ingredients like garlic, parsley, and lemon, which enhance the flavor of the chicken without overwhelming it. The use of Parmesan and Asiago cheeses adds a nutty, savory depth, while the red pepper flakes introduce a subtle kick.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

There are countless reasons to fall in love with Chicken Scampi. First and foremost, it’s a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving a family dinner or hosting a small gathering, this dish never fails to impress. It’s also highly customizable; you can adjust the spice level, swap out ingredients, or even make it vegetarian by substituting the chicken with mushrooms or tofu.

Another reason this recipe stands out is its balance of flavors. The garlic butter sauce is rich yet not overly heavy, thanks to the addition of fresh lemon juice, which brightens the dish. The cheeses melt seamlessly into the pasta water, creating a silky, cohesive sauce that clings to each strand of angel hair pasta.

Perfect Pairings for Chicken Scampi

To elevate your dining experience, consider pairing Chicken Scampi with complementary side dishes and beverages. A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the main dish. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette is perfect for soaking up every drop of the luscious sauce.

For drinks, a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully with the buttery and garlicky notes. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, a sparkling lemonade or a citrus-infused iced tea works equally well.

Cooking Tips for Success

While this recipe is straightforward, a few tips can help you achieve restaurant-quality results:

  1. Use fresh ingredients: Fresh garlic, parsley, and lemon juice make a noticeable difference in flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic or bottled lemon juice, as they lack the vibrancy of fresh counterparts.
  2. Don’t overcook the chicken: Chicken breast can become dry if overcooked. Searing it until golden and cooked through ensures it remains tender and juicy.
  3. Reserve pasta water: The starch in the pasta water helps emulsify the sauce, giving it a creamy texture without the need for heavy cream.
  4. Shred your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. Shredding Parmesan and Asiago from a block ensures a luxurious sauce.
  5. Experiment with wine: While dry white wine adds depth to the sauce, chicken broth is an excellent substitute for a non-alcoholic version. You can also try different wines to subtly alter the flavor profile.

Customizing Chicken Scampi

One of the best things about this dish is its adaptability. If you’re a seafood lover, you can easily combine chicken with shrimp or scallops. For a vegetarian twist, try swapping the chicken with sautéed mushrooms or grilled vegetables. Adding a splash of cream can create an even richer sauce, while a handful of spinach or arugula introduces a touch of freshness.

You can also experiment with the type of pasta. While angel hair is traditional for its delicate texture, fettuccine or linguine are excellent alternatives that provide a heartier bite. Gluten-free pasta works wonderfully for those with dietary restrictions.

Why Chicken Scampi Is the Ultimate Comfort Food

At its core, Chicken Scampi is a dish that satisfies on every level. It’s rich without being overindulgent, flavorful without being complicated, and impressive without requiring hours in the kitchen. The combination of buttery garlic sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta is pure comfort food, evoking a sense of warmth and happiness with every bite.

It’s also a dish that encourages togetherness. Cooking Chicken Scampi can be a collaborative effort—kids can help stir the sauce, or friends can assist with chopping ingredients. Serving it family-style on a large platter, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, creates an inviting centerpiece that brings people together.

Conclusion

Chicken Scampi is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s a chance to bring the flavors of a fine Italian restaurant into your home, elevating an ordinary evening into something special. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is approachable, versatile, and endlessly satisfying.

So, the next time you’re looking to impress your family or guests or simply treat yourself to something extraordinary give this Chicken Scampi recipe a try. With its bold flavors, simple preparation, and universal appeal, it’s sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.

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