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Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe

Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe

4.8 from 11 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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

Keywords: Olive Garden Chicken Scampi, chicken scampi recipe, creamy chicken pasta, pan-fried chicken, Italian pasta dish, angel hair pasta recipe, garlic cream sauce