Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Chicken Scampi featuring lightly breaded chicken bites sautéed to perfection, simmered in a flavorful garlic, white wine, and lemon sauce, served over tender spaghetti and garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a satisfying Italian-inspired main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc recommended)
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ⅔ cup grated Parmesan Cheese
Pasta
- 12 ounces thin spaghetti
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Whisk together the flour and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then dredge them evenly in the flour mixture to coat.
- Brown the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until the bottoms are browned, then flip and brown the other sides. Make sure the chicken is cooked through. Remove and transfer to a plate.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Carefully pour in the white wine and add red pepper flakes. Increase heat to medium and cook until the wine is reduced by half, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce is reducing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
- Finish the sauce: Remove the skillet from heat and whisk in lemon juice. Return the chicken pieces to the skillet and warm them for about a minute. In a large serving bowl, combine the drained pasta with the chicken and sauce. Toss to coat thoroughly, adding some reserved pasta water if the mixture seems dry.
- Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Cook spaghetti al dente to maintain a firm texture and complement the sauce.
- If you prefer to skip the wine, use ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth instead, and omit the reduction step.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
- You can freeze leftovers in a sturdy airtight container for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main meal chicken
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken Scampi, Italian Chicken Recipe, Garlic Chicken Pasta, White Wine Sauce Chicken, Easy Dinner, Pasta with Chicken
