Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe
This Olive Garden Chicken Scampi recipe combines tender, pan-fried chicken tenders with a flavorful garlic and cream sauce, sautéed bell peppers and onions, and angel hair pasta. The dish is garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, delivering a rich and comforting Italian-inspired meal that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan Frying, Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Chicken
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (or cooking oil of choice)
- 2 lbs chicken tenders (or thinly sliced chicken breast or thighs)
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb angel hair pasta (cooked al dente)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or cooking oil of choice)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
- 1 red onion (sliced into thin strips)
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 ½ cup chicken broth (store bought or homemade)
- ½ cup dry white wine (or substitute with chicken broth)
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Garnish
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Fresh basil (finely chopped)
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until evenly combined. Coat the chicken tenders in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pan fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve one cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Wipe the large skillet clean with a paper towel. On medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers along with the red onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until vegetables soften slightly.
- Add Butter and Garlic: Add 3 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the vegetables are tender.
- Deglaze and Simmer Sauce: Pour the dry white wine into the pan, scraping the bottom to release any browned bits. Then add the chicken broth and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream, 1 teaspoon of salt (or to taste), and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a light boil while stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add the cooked angel hair pasta to the sauce and mix thoroughly to evenly coat the noodles. Cook for 1-2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Place the cooked chicken pieces on top of the pasta and sauce. Garnish generously with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped basil, and chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your comforting, restaurant-style Olive Garden Chicken Scampi!
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and pasta.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken thighs for chicken tenders for a juicier texture.
- Use chicken broth instead of white wine if you want to keep the dish alcohol-free.
- Reserve pasta water as it helps to adjust the sauce thickness naturally without thinning the flavor.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Olive Garden Chicken Scampi, chicken scampi recipe, creamy chicken pasta, pan-fried chicken, Italian pasta dish, angel hair pasta recipe, garlic cream sauce