Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Chicken Scampi Pasta featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a garlic butter lemon sauce, tossed with linguine and fresh herbs for a perfect Italian-American main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine or spaghetti
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the linguine or spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken strips with salt, black pepper, and paprika evenly to enhance the flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Spices: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth if preferred) and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the skillet to lift up any browned bits. This adds depth of flavor.
- Add Lemon and Broth: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors together.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and toss to coat them thoroughly in the flavorful sauce.
- Toss Pasta and Finish Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Add Cheese and Herbs: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Remove from heat, then sprinkle fresh parsley and optional chopped basil over the top before serving.
Notes
- Substitute shrimp for chicken to make a delicious seafood variation.
- For a richer and creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream towards the end of cooking.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your preference for more or less tanginess in the dish.
