Description
This Chicken Scampi Pasta is a delightful Italian-American dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon, tossed with perfectly cooked linguine or spaghetti, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that combines zesty, savory, and buttery flavors for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine or spaghetti pasta
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup dry white cooking wine or additional chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter (for finishing)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil water with salt and cook the linguine or spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet with the chicken and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and white wine (or additional broth), bringing the mixture to a simmer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the lemon juice and let the sauce simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate flavors.
- Toss pasta and finish the dish: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to combine well. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce loosens to your desired consistency. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and fresh parsley until the pasta is well coated and glossy.
- Serve: Plate the chicken scampi pasta while warm and serve with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth texture.
- If you prefer a richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream near the end of cooking.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen and bind the sauce to the pasta perfectly.
