Name: Homemade Chicken Scampi Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian American
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips; 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/3 cup lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Description

This Homemade Chicken Scampi recipe features tender strips of chicken breast sautéed with garlic, lemon, and butter, tossed with linguine pasta for a flavorful, comforting Italian-American dish. Perfectly balanced with fresh parsley, Parmesan, and a hint of red pepper flakes, it’s an easy weeknight dinner packed with protein and vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Pasta

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
8 ounces linguine or spaghetti

Sauce and Seasoning

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon lemon zest

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Cook the linguine according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken strips, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Make Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then bring to a gentle simmer. Add red pepper flakes if using and cook for about 2 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Finish and Serve: Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Toss until the pasta is coated and heated through, then serve immediately.

Notes

You can substitute shrimp for chicken for a traditional scampi variation.
Adding sautéed spinach or cherry tomatoes is a simple way to incorporate vegetables into the dish.