Description
This rich and flavorful Chicken Scampi recipe features tender strips of chicken cooked in a creamy garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon zest, tossed with linguine pasta for a comforting Italian-American classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken strips with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in white wine or chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the heavy cream and cook the sauce until it starts to thicken.
- Finish the Dish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained linguine and toss to combine. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Toss everything together ensuring the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce, using reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Substitute shrimp for chicken for a seafood version.
- For extra richness, add an additional tablespoon of butter just before serving.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
