Easy Chicken Scampi

A quick and cozy garlic butter pasta dinner featuring juicy chicken, a buttery garlic sauce, and pasta that soaks up every drop.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 500

Main Ingredients

1 pound chicken breast or thighs, sliced into thin bite size pieces Thighs stay juicier.
8 to 10 ounces pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair) Choose your favorite pasta.
4 to 6 cloves garlic, minced Use fresh garlic for best results.
4 tablespoons butter Divide into portions for cooking.
2 tablespoons olive oil To brown the chicken.
1 lemon juice Zest optional; juice is key.
1 cup chicken broth Can substitute with dry white wine.
to taste Salt and black pepper
to taste Red pepper flakes, optional For a bit of heat.
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped parsley For garnish.
to taste Grated parmesan, optional for serving Purists might skip cheese.

Preparation

Cook your pasta in salty water. Before you drain it, scoop out about 1 cup of pasta water and set it aside.
While the pasta cooks, season your chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet. Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
In the same skillet, add the rest of the butter. Toss in the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, just until it smells amazing; do not let it burn.
Pour in the chicken broth (or wine). Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add lemon juice, a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want, and return the chicken to the pan. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together, using reserved pasta water as needed until it turns glossy.
Finish with chopped parsley and taste for salt. If desired, add parmesan on top.

It reheats well with a splash of broth. Optionally, add spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms for extra flavor.