Description
A vibrant and flavorful Chicken Scampi Pasta combining tender chicken strips with garlic, lemon, and a buttery white wine sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked linguine for a satisfying Italian-American main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine or spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze and flavor: Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and allow it to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest for brightness.
- Combine all elements: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together thoroughly, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Finish and serve: Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side for garnish.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream before tossing the pasta.
- You can substitute shrimp for chicken to create a seafood scampi variation.
- Use chicken broth instead of white wine if you prefer a non-alcoholic option.
