Creamy Garlic Lemon Chicken Scampi Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Scampi is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken with a rich garlic butter sauce and a touch of lemon. Served over pasta, it’s a quick and flavorful meal perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 8 ounces pasta (such as linguine or spaghetti)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
5. Step 5: Add the lemon juice to the garlic butter sauce and stir to combine.
6. Step 6: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return to the skillet. Toss to coat the chicken in the sauce.
7. Step 7: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
8. Step 8: Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
• Use white wine instead of lemon juice for a slightly different but delicious sauce.
• Swap chicken breasts for shrimp for a classic shrimp scampi twist.
• Use fresh pasta for a more delicate texture and faster cooking time.

Storage

Store leftover chicken scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent the sauce from separating. Add a splash of water or broth if the pasta feels dry.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to fully thaw the chicken before cooking to ensure even cooking and safe internal temperature.

What type of pasta works best for chicken scampi?

Long, thin pasta like linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine pairs best as it holds the garlic butter sauce well and complements the chicken.

Creamy Garlic Lemon Chicken Scampi Recipe

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Chicken Scampi is a flavorful Italian-American dish featuring sautéed chicken breasts cooked in a rich garlic butter and lemon sauce, then tossed with pasta for a simple yet elegant meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Pasta

• 8 ounces linguine or spaghetti pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for pasta water)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
2. Sauté the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of butter or oil, then add the thinly sliced chicken breasts. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. Make the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in lemon juice and zest, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Toss pasta and chicken: Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together to evenly coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
5. Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce.
• Use fresh lemon juice to enhance the brightness of the dish.
• Thinly slicing the chicken ensures it cooks quickly and remains tender.
• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
• Serve with a side of garlic bread or a light salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: Chicken Scampi, garlic butter chicken, lemon chicken pasta, Italian pasta dish, quick chicken dinner