Quick and easy Chicken Scampi is lightly breaded chicken pieces cooked to golden brown perfection and combined with pasta in a lemon garlic butter sauce with freshly grated Parmesan. This refreshing dish is the chicken version of shrimp scampi. It pairs well with a simple garden salad, roasted asparagus, or steamed broccoli.
What does scampi style mean?
Though scampi commonly refers to sautéed shrimp, other seafood and poultry can be cooked in the same refreshing manner. Scampi sauce is made with butter, garlic, white wine, lemon and parsley. Scampi dishes are easy enough to prepare during a weeknight yet elegant enough for company.
How to make Chicken Scampi
Start by whisking together the flour and Italian seasoning. Then dry the chicken pieces real well and dredge the pieces in the flour mixture. Now heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until browned then flip and cook until browned on the other side. Transfer the chicken pieces to a plate.
Now melt the butter in the same skillet over medium low heat. Add the garlic and cook for a minute while stirring continuously. Then carefully add the wine and red pepper flakes. Return the heat to medium and cook until it is reduced by half scraping the bottom of the pan to get those brown bits off. Meanwhile bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well.
Then remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice. Add the chicken back to the skillet cooking for just a minute to warm it up. Then add the drained pasta to a large serving bowl and pour the sauce and the chicken over the top. Sprinkle with parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For best results serve promptly.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Cut the chicken into thin bite size uniform pieces so they cook evenly and quickly.
- Fresh garlic and lemon juice are a must for this recipe. They are the stars of the show.
- Sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or chenin blanc are all great wines for scampi. They are dry, crisp wines that really complement the dish.
- I think thin spaghetti is the best choice for this dish but spaghetti or angel hair pasta will work too.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese. It has so much flavor compared to the pre-grated cheese and is well worth the extra cost and effort.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze in a sturdy airtight container for up to 2 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave at a reduced power.
What to serve with Chicken Scampi
- Pasta – preferably thin spaghetti, spaghetti, or angel hair pasta.
- Salad – a simple garden salad or an Italian Chopped Salad.
- Bread – French baguettes with sweet cream butter or Cheese Garlic Bread.
- Vegetables – roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, or air fryer brussels sprouts
- Wine – sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, or pinot grigio
More chicken recipes you will love!
Chicken Scampi
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in bite size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¾ cup dry white wine sauvignon blanc is a good choice
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 12 ounces thin spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ⅔ cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour and Italian seasoning. Dry the chicken pieces real well with paper towels. Dredge the pieces in the flour mixture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until browned on the bottom. Flip and cook until browned on the other side. The chicken should be cooked through. Transfer the chicken pieces to a plate.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute while stirring continuously. Carefully add the wine and red pepper flakes. Return the heat to medium and cook until it is reduced by half scraping the bottom of the pan to get the brown bits off.
- Meanwhile bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain well.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice. Add the chicken back to the skillet cooking for just a minute to warm it up. Add the drained pasta to a large serving bowl and pour the sauce and the chicken over the top. Sprinkle with parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. If the pasta becomes dry simply add a little of the reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For best results serve promptly.
Nutrition
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Karen
Chicken scampi…AMAZING AND EASY, THANK YOU!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Karen!
Lily
I love scampi. I haven’t had it in a long time so adding this to my recipe to make list.
Laura
This sounds so good. My husband and I have cut down on red meat so I am always on the lookout for new chicken recipes.
Rosey
You’ve got a way with pictures. This looks absolutely stunning.
Mosaic Borders
I never had chicken scampi before, your recipe was sooooo good…I can’t wait to make it again, can’t wait.
Talya Stone
This chicken scampi was absolutely yummy. I served it over some angel hair pasta with a side of fresh roasted asparagus all topped with grated fresh Parmesan Cheese.
Risa Lopez
Oh my, this was so delicious! My family really enjoyed this chicken scampi recipe. Thanks for sharing this!
Melanie Edjourian
This sounds really yummy. I’ve been looking for something to make the family on Saturday. and this would be ideal.
Indu
This is a wonderful recipe to try. Being vegetarian I may tweak a little.
Anosa Malanga
I loved this recipe. It is a lot like shrimp scampi but even better. Thanks for the great recipe.
Ntensibe Edgar
This is a completely new chicken recipe to me. I loved it! Next time I am going to add some lemon zest. Thanks for sharing it.
Bryan
Chicken is my most often consumed meat. Anything with chicken, pasta, etc. is certain to make me happy.
Heidy
I made this Chicken Scampi, and the entire office loved it when we hosted our employee appreciation party! I should have made more because it flew off the breakroom table in no time.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Heidy! So glad that everyone liked it!
Michelle
Tried this last night and it didn’t disappoint! Such a delicious meal! Thanks for sharing your recipe 🙂
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Dannii
What a delicious looking spaghetti dish. So light and fresh! I can’t wait to try it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!
Gloria
You can never go wrong with chicken recipes. Paired with noodles, this will be a hit on the dinner table any night of the week.
Marysa
I have never made chicken scampi, and it sounds like an easy enough dish, and nice to serve over pasta. Looks delicious!
Farrah Less
This dish was so tasty and perfect for my picky family. I cant wait to make it again for them. They really loved it.
Shoma
I am a huge fan of Chicken Scampi and this was absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to make it again
Rose Ann Sales
Oh my! This is a really amazing recipe! It tastes so good! My family loved this so much!
Richelle Milar
That looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I would really love to try this recipe!
Becky Willis
My husband and I tried this recipe and really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing it!
Terri Steffes
Scampi is the name of the small lobster-like shrimp used to make this dish. Some people find the taste too sweet, so the chicken would be a nice alternative. Cannot wait to try this!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Terri! Enjoy!!
Elizabeth Neas
I am not sure why but I have never thought of using chicken for a scampi recipe. I will have to try this recipe. Yours looks delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Elizabeth! Enjoy!!
Alita
This Chicken Scampi is definitely becoming a staple in our house! It was delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Alita! So glad that you liked it.
Tasheena
This recipe was really yummy and savory. My family really enjoyed this and I will be making it again.
Amber Myers
I will keep this in mind to make for dinner one night. It looks like a delicious meal.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Amber! Enjoy!
Tara Pittman
My husband loves scampi. Garlic and butter are his love.
Terry G
Easy to make and taste like a dish at high end Italian restaurant! This is a perfect 10 recipe!!! I can’t wait to make it again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it time and time again.
Catalina
Both my favorite ingredients in one dish! It looks amazingly delicious!
Allyson Zea
Oh my goodness! This was the perfect dinner! Thank you for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This Chicken Scampi looks perfect! I need to add this to our menu soon!