Description
Jacked-Up Chicken Scampi is a flavorful Italian-American main course featuring tender, golden-brown chicken strips sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of crushed red pepper flakes. Tossed with linguine or spaghetti and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this quick stovetop recipe delivers a delightful, creamy pasta dinner perfect for weeknights or any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (or additional chicken broth)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 ounces cooked pasta (linguine or spaghetti)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and spices: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, which infuses the butter with rich flavor.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, dry white wine (or additional broth), and fresh lemon juice into the skillet. Stir the mixture well to combine and bring it to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly reduce and thicken.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and cook together for another 2 to 3 minutes. This lets the chicken absorb the sauce’s flavors and ensures it is heated through.
- Toss with pasta and finish: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top. Toss everything together gently so the pasta is fully coated with the flavorful sauce and cheese melts slightly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a bright finish, and serve immediately. Optionally pair with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add sun-dried tomatoes or a handful of baby spinach to the sauce during the simmer step.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh side salad to complement the rich pasta dish.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute regular pasta with your preferred gluten-free pasta.
