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Chicken Scampi Pasta Recipe
Chicken scampi pasta offers a beautiful twist on Seafood Scampi, featuring tender chicken bathed in a flavorful buttery lemon sauce and finished with grated parmesan. It’s complete with pasta and delivers an irresistible dish bursting with flavor.
The heart of this recipe lies in its mouthwatering sauce, it presents a tasty combination of garlic, chili powder, dry white wine, lemon zest, and lemon juice. It’s rich and aromatic, perfectly complementing the tender meat and the pasta, and serves a scrumptious meal everyone enjoys.
Why This Recipe Works
This homemade chicken scampi pasta recipe is easy and quick to make. It takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
Chicken is the most common ingredient you can find in local grocery stores.
The pasta is so delicious and rivals local Italian restaurants but at a fraction of the price.
It’s one of the best chicken pasta recipes to make at home with only a few simple ingredients. This delightful dish serves perfectly for weeknight dinners or any occasion.
Recipe Ingredients
Homemade chicken scampi pasta is both delicious and delightful with an addition of a white wine sauce. It’s an easy pasta recipe that only requires a few simple ingredients.
- Chicken thigh- The meat is more flavorful and moist when compared to chicken breast. It makes a great addition to the dish with its rich flavor.
- Chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes- The mild spiciness makes the dish even more additive to enjoy. Substitute with chili paste if you prefer a spicier pasta.
- Dry white wine- The alcohol evaporates while cooking the sauce, but the flavor lasts in the dish. The dry white wine delivers sweet and fruity notes to the pasta that complement the other ingredients in the dish. The wine-infused sauce adds another layer of aroma to the pasta, making it more enticing and flavorful.
- Spaghetti- Linguine and fettuccine will be great substitutes.
- Lemon- The fresh lemon juice and zest impart a refreshing citrusy tang to the dish and enhance its overall flavor.
- Grated parmesan- It’s a final touch to complete the pasta with a rich and savory taste.
- Fresh parsley- Pop the dish with the refreshing herb.
How To Make Chicken Scampi Pasta?
This ultimate chicken scampi pasta is effortless to make.
First, season the chicken with salt. Heat a skillet with oil over medium-high heat and saute the meat. As soon as the chicken is cooked, dish out and set aside.
Bring salted water to a boil in a pot and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain spaghetti and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
Prepare the sauce by sauteing garlic and chili powder until fragrant. Add dry white wine and simmer the sauce until it’s reduced to half.
Add cooked chicken and spaghetti to the sauce, and cook it with 2/3 cup of pasta water. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter, and continue cooking until the butter melts. Turn off the heat, stir in grated parmesan cheese, and add salt to taste. Serve immediately with more grated parmesan and chopped parsley on top.
Cooking Tips
For the best result, please follow my tips below:
- Chicken thighs are tender and juicy after cooking. You may also use chicken breast if preferred.
- Add dry white wine to enhance the flavor of the entire dish. The good white wine options are sauvignon blanc or chardonnay.
- To enhance the flavor, you may substitute the pasta water with low-sodium chicken broth or chicken stock.
- Top the pasta with a refreshing touch of a few vibrant vegetables, you may choose cherry tomatoes and asparagus for a healthy add-on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chicken scampi pasta with a creamy sauce?
Yes, you may add heavy cream to the sauce while cooking for a creamy chicken scampi pasta.
What side dish goes well with this recipe?
Chicken scampi pasta pairs perfectly with roasted or grilled vegetables, such as Garlic Roasted Asparagus, Italian Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic Broccoli, and Lemon Butter Grilled Zucchini.
How Many Calories Per Serving?
This recipe has 397 calories per serving.
Chicken Scampi Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound (500g) skinless, boneless chicken thigh (thinly sliced )
- 3/4 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 12 ounces (375g) spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic (sliced)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat dry the chicken thigh and slice it thinly. Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Heat a skillet with 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat, add the chicken, and stir occasionally until the meat is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add spaghetti, and cook until al dente. Drain spaghetti and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced garlic and chili powder, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, pour in dry white wine. Reduce the heat to medium, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce is reduced by half.
- Transfer chicken, spaghetti, and 3/4 cup of pasta water to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, and stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Keep cooking until the butter melts and the pasta has absorbed the sauce completely. Turn off the heat. Stir in 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese. Add the remaining salt to taste.
- To serve, garnish with the remaining grated parmesan and chopped parsley on top.
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Notes
- Chicken thighs are tender and juicy after cooking. You may also use chicken breast if preferred.
- Add dry white wine to enhance the flavor of the entire dish. The good white wine options are Sauvignon blanc or chardonnay.
- You may substitute the pasta water with low-sodium chicken broth or chicken stock to add a depth of flavor.
- Top the pasta with a refreshing touch of a few vibrant vegetables, you may choose cherry tomatoes and asparagus for a healthy add-on.
