Chicken Scampi
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
497 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Chicken Scampi
Description
For this Chicken Scampi, bite-sized chicken pieces are seasoned with Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, salt, and pepper, then lightly floured and seared in olive oil and butter to develop a golden crust. After removing the chicken, the pan is used to gently cook minced fresh garlic before deglazing with white wine, allowing the alcohol to reduce and infuse the sauce with depth.
Fresh tomatoes, lemon juice, parsley, red pepper flakes, and reserved pasta water are added to lift the sauce, which is finished with a mix of shredded Parmesan and Asiago cheese to add creaminess and saltiness. The cooked angel hair pasta is tossed in late for a delicate, flavorful coating that complements the tender chicken.
This dish brings together buttery richness, fresh citrus tang, garlic pungency, and mild heat from red pepper flakes. It works nicely as a light dinner or entertaining meal when paired with a crisp green salad or simple vegetables.
Using freshly shredded cheese and fresh lemon juice notably improves both flavor and texture of the sauce. A dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio is recommended for cooking.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb. chicken breast diced
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter salted
Pasta & Sauce
- 8 oz. angel hair pasta
- 6 Tablespoons butter separated, salted
- 5 cloves garlic minced, fresh
- ½ cup white wine see notes, dry
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup tomato freshly diced
- ¼ cup parsley roughly chopped
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ½ cup pasta water
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded from a block
- ½ cup Asiago cheese shredded from a block
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Before you begin: Measure out all ingredients so that they’re ready to go before you start, as this recipe goes quick! Time the boiling water so that it’s ready for the pasta at the end. It will only take about 4 minutes to cook the angel hair. Remember to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Pat the chicken completely dry. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Add 1 tsp Italian seasoning and ½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning. Sprinkle with flour and toss to coat.
- Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil and 2 Tbsp. butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside, tent with foil to keep warm.
- Decrease heat to medium and melt 1 Tbsp. butter in the same pan. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Carefully add the white wine and cook for 3 minutes or so, until reduced by half and no longer smells of alcohol. While it simmers, use a silicone spatula to clean the chicken remnants from the pot. This is called "fond" and will give the sauce more flavor.
- Melt 4 Tbsp. butter in the pot. Add the cooked chicken, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Toss to coat. Reduce heat to low. Swirl in 1 Tbsp. cold butter.
- Boil the pasta and reserve 1/2 cup water.
- Take a covered jar or Tupperware container and add ½ cup pasta water, lemon juice, Parmesan, and Asiago cheese. Cover and shake to combine.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the chicken and pour the pasta water mixture on top. Use kitchen tongs and toss to coat. Season with additional salt/pepper if desired and garnish with diced tomatoes.
- Serve with garlic bread with cheese and a side of lemon wedges. Garnish with freshly grated cheese and extra parsley/red pepper flakes.
Notes
- Shred cheese from blocks for superior flavor and melting compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, something you enjoy drinking.
- Opt for high-quality butter such as Cabot or Land O’ Lakes for better taste.
- Freshly minced garlic is best; older garlic can discolor with acid.
- Fresh lemon juice adds brightness not matched by bottled varieties.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 497 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 497kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 97mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 486mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 454mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 713IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 229mg | 23% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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