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Chicken Scampi Recipe
When you’re craving a meal that’s quick, creamy, and bursting with flavor, this Chicken Scampi is your go-to!
The juicy chicken tenders are smothered in a rich, buttery garlic sauce.
This simple yet satisfying dish is ready in just 25 minutes, making it the perfect addition to your weeknight dinner rotation.
Serve it with pasta for a meal that’s nothing short of restaurant-worthy!
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Chicken Scampi
Okay, this is the kind of dinner I love having in my back pocket.
It’s creamy. It’s garlicky. The chicken gets all golden and delicious, and then everything gets tossed together with pasta and that buttery Parmesan sauce.
And the best part? It all happens really fast.
This is a 25-minute dinner that feels like you did way more than you actually did. Which, honestly, is exactly what I want on a busy weeknight.
The peppers and red onion add a little sweetness and color, the garlic makes the whole kitchen smell amazing, and the creamy sauce pulls everything together.
Basically, if you’re looking for a cozy pasta dinner that feels a little fancy but is still completely doable on a Tuesday night, this is it.
For Chicken Scampi
- Chicken Tenderloins – These are juicy, tender pieces of chicken that cook quickly and are perfect for this dish.
- Flour – Helps to dredge the chicken, creating a light crust that holds the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning – Adds a fragrant, herby flavor to the chicken.
- Salt and Pepper – For seasoning the chicken and enhancing the overall taste.
- Olive Oil – Used to brown the chicken for a crispy texture.
- Butter – Adds richness to the sauce and helps sauté the vegetables.
- Red Onion – Provides a mild sweetness and slight crunch when sautéed.
- Bell Peppers (Red, Yellow, Green) – Adds color and a mild sweetness to the dish.
- Garlic – The base of the flavorful, aromatic sauce.
For the Scampi Sauce
- Whipping Cream – Creates a smooth, creamy base for the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese – Adds saltiness and a rich, cheesy flavor to the sauce.
- Red Chili Flakes – Optional, but adds a touch of heat to balance the creaminess.
- Fresh Parsley – Adds a fresh, herby finish to the dish.
How to Make Chicken Scampi Step by Step
Cook the Pasta
First, get your pasta going.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the angel hair according to the package directions. Before you drain it, save 1 cup of that pasta water.
Do not skip this little step! That starchy pasta water is going to help bring the sauce together later.
Get the Chicken Ready
While the pasta is cooking, give the chicken a quick coating in the seasoned flour.
Nothing fancy here. Just a light coating of flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
The flour gives the chicken those lovely golden edges when it hits the skillet, and those little crispy bits are exactly what we want.
Brown the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in your skillet and get the chicken in there.
Cook it for about 3 minutes on each side, until it’s nicely browned and cooked through.
Then take it out of the skillet and set it aside.
And leave all those little browned bits in the pan! We are absolutely using those.
Sauté the Veggies
Now comes the good stuff.
Melt the butter in the same skillet and add the red onion and bell peppers. Let them cook for a couple of minutes until they start to soften.
Then add the garlic.
Give it another minute, just until it’s fragrant.
At this point, your kitchen is going to smell REALLY good.
Make the Sauce
Pour the chicken broth and white grape juice or apple juice into the skillet.
This helps loosen all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan and gives the sauce a really nice base.
Let it cook for about 4 minutes so it can reduce a little.
Then add the reserved pasta water and whipping cream.
Bring It All Together
Once the sauce starts to simmer, stir in the Parmesan, salt, and red chili flakes if you’re using them.
Now add the cooked pasta and toss everything together.
Then the chicken goes back in.
Give it a good toss so the pasta gets coated in that creamy sauce and the chicken gets tucked right in with all those peppers and onions.
Finish with fresh parsley.
And that’s it!
Creamy Chicken Scampi, ready for dinner.
Chicken Scampi Variations
This is one of those recipes that gives you a little room to play.
Want to use chicken breasts? Absolutely. Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips so they cook quickly and evenly.
Want to switch up the pasta? Go for it. Angel hair is what I use here, but spaghetti or another pasta shape works too. The sauce is pretty friendly that way.
Want some heat? Add more red chili flakes. You can keep it barely spicy or give it a little kick.
Want to make it with shrimp? You can swap the chicken for shrimp for a seafood version. Just remember that shrimp cooks much faster than chicken.
Keeping things low-carb? Serve the creamy chicken and sauce over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of pasta.
There are plenty of ways to make this one work with what you already have in the kitchen.
Expert Tips for the Best Chicken Scampi
Save that pasta water. Seriously. It takes two seconds, and it helps loosen the sauce and bring everything together at the end.
Don’t skip the same skillet. Once the chicken comes out, all those browned bits left behind are pure flavor. The vegetables and sauce will pick up all of it.
Keep the chicken coating light. You just need enough flour to give the chicken a little golden crust. We’re not breading it here.
Don’t walk away from the garlic. Garlic only needs about a minute in the skillet. Once it smells fragrant, move on. Burnt garlic is not the flavor we’re going for.
Let the sauce simmer, not rage-boil. A gentle simmer is all you need to bring the cream, Parmesan, broth, and pasta water together into a smooth sauce.
Taste before serving. Parmesan adds saltiness, so give the sauce a taste as you go and adjust the seasoning if needed.
And one more thing: serve this while it’s hot and creamy. That’s when Chicken Scampi is at its absolute best.
Mistakes to Avoid
There aren’t many complicated steps here, but a few little things can make a big difference.
Forgetting the pasta water: It’s easy to drain the pasta and move on, but save that cup first. You’ll be glad you did.
Overcooking the chicken: Chicken tenderloins are small and cook quickly. Once they’re browned and cooked through, get them out of the pan.
Crowding the skillet: Give the chicken enough room to brown. If everything is packed in too tightly, you won’t get those nice golden edges.
Burning the garlic: Keep an eye on it. Garlic goes from perfectly fragrant to bitter pretty quickly.
Boiling the cream: You want the sauce to gently simmer. There’s no need to crank up the heat.
Using too much flour: Remember, this is a light coating, not a thick breading. A little goes a long way.
How to Store Chicken Scampi
If you have leftovers, let the Chicken Scampi cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The sauce will thicken as it sits, which is completely normal.
When you’re ready to reheat it, warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. If the sauce feels a little too thick, add a small splash of water and stir until it loosens back up.
And honestly? Leftover creamy pasta is one of those lunches I’m never sad to see waiting for me in the fridge.
How to Serve Chicken Scampi
This Chicken Scampi already has everything you need for a satisfying dinner: tender chicken, pasta, vegetables, and a creamy Parmesan sauce.
But if you want to make it feel a little more like a restaurant dinner, add a simple green salad on the side.
Some warm bread is also a very good idea because you are going to want something to swipe through that extra creamy garlic sauce.
And don’t forget the fresh parsley at the end. It adds a little pop of color and freshness that makes the whole dish feel finished.
Serve it warm, grab your fork, and dig in.
If you loved this rceipe, you’ll want to try these reader-favorite recipes next!
Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Cracker Barrel-Style Chicken and Dumplings
They’re just as comforting, flavorful, and easy to make for any weeknight dinner.
Chicken Scampi Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (225g) angel hair pasta
- 1 ½ pounds (650g) chicken tenderloins (mini chicken fillets in the UK)
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp salt, divided
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 red onion, sliced into half-moons
- ½ red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- ¼ cup (60ml) chicken broth
- ¼ cup (60ml) white grape juice or apple juice
- ½ cup (120ml) whipping cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring salted water to a boil in a medium-sized pot.
- Add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
- Once done, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Prepare the Chicken:
- Dredge chicken tenders in a mixture of flour, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Brown chicken tenders, cooking about 3 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
- Remove from skillet, cover, and set aside.
Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add sliced onions and bell peppers.
- Sauté for 2 minutes until peppers soften, then add crushed garlic and cook for another minute.
Deglaze the Pan:
- Pour in the chicken broth and white grape/apple juice mixture and let it cook for about 4 minutes to reduce slightly.
Finish the Sauce:
- Add the reserved pasta water and whipping cream to the pan.
- Once the sauce begins to simmer, stir in parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and red chili flakes (if using).
Combine:
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Add the cooked chicken tenders on top and mix them in.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Shrimp Alternative: You can replace the chicken with shrimp for a seafood variation.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve the dish over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
Nutrition
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Yes, you can substitute chicken tenderloins with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just slice them into strips to ensure they cook quickly and evenly.
- Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While angel hair pasta is typically used, feel free to use spaghetti or any pasta shape you have on hand. The creamy sauce will pair well with most pasta varieties.
- How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, simply sprinkle red chili flakes into the sauce. Start with a pinch and add more to taste!
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Chicken Scampi is best enjoyed fresh. However, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then combine them and reheat when ready to serve.
