Description
A flavorful and creamy chicken scampi recipe featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon, tossed with linguine pasta and Parmesan cheese for a delicious Italian-American main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
- 12 oz linguine or angel hair pasta
Sauce and Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup dry white cooking wine or additional broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the linguine or angel hair pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, making sure not to overcook the pasta for the best texture.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken strips dry and season evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant but not burnt, about 1-2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the chicken broth and dry white wine (or additional broth), scraping up any browned bits from the skillet’s bottom. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to reduce slightly and deepen the flavors.
- Add lemon and cream: Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream. Mix thoroughly to combine the sauce base.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Finish with cheese and herbs: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley over the pasta mixture. Toss gently for the cheese to melt and integrate into the sauce.
- Serve immediately: Plate the Jacked-Up Chicken Scampi while hot, ensuring the sauce is well-distributed for each serving.
Notes
- For extra richness, add more butter or Parmesan cheese to taste.
- You can substitute shrimp for part of the chicken or add sautéed mushrooms for a variation.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best and brightest flavor.
