Description
A quick and flavorful Chicken Scampi recipe featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce, tossed with spaghetti and fresh parsley. Perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner with a hint of lemon and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, about 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper
Sauce and Pasta
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, diced into 1-Tbsp pieces
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
- 12 oz thin spaghetti (or standard spaghetti)
- 1/8–1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup chopped parsley
- 2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese (or Romano, for serving)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the diced chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Toss them with the flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Sear Chicken: In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt 3 Tbsp butter with the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook without moving until browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2–3 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Keep Chicken Warm: Transfer the cooked chicken and the melted butter from the pan to a bowl or large plate. Tent with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Return the skillet to medium-low heat and melt 1 Tbsp butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for about 20 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
- Add Heat: Stir in the red pepper flakes, letting the garlic butter gently simmer for about 1 minute to build flavor.
- Make Sauce: Add the remaining 4 Tbsp butter to the skillet and let it melt into the sauce. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken pieces to the skillet and toss to coat thoroughly in the garlic butter sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the drained spaghetti and chopped parsley to the skillet. Toss everything together until well combined and evenly coated with sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use thin spaghetti for a more authentic scampi texture, but standard spaghetti works well too.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
- For a richer flavor, use salted butter and reduce added salt accordingly.
- Make sure not to overcook garlic to avoid bitterness; sauté just until fragrant.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
