Name: Easy Chicken Scampi Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup dry white wine or additional broth; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti, cooked; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Description

This Easy Chicken Scampi Pasta combines tender chicken breast with a rich garlic butter sauce, brightened by fresh lemon juice and zest. Served over linguine or spaghetti and topped with Parmesan cheese and parsley, it’s a quick and flavorful Italian-American main course perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

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Chicken and Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine or additional broth
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Pasta and Garnish

8 ounces linguine or spaghetti, cooked
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to burn the garlic.
Deglaze and simmer sauce: Pour in chicken broth and white wine, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to slightly reduce.
Add lemon: Stir in fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to brighten the sauce.
Combine chicken with sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce thoroughly.
Add pasta: Toss in the cooked linguine or spaghetti, combining everything well. Heat through for a couple of minutes to meld flavors.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley on top before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
You can substitute shrimp for chicken to vary the protein.
If a thicker sauce is preferred, allow the sauce to simmer longer before adding pasta.