Description
Creamy Chicken Scampi is a rich and flavorful Italian-American pasta dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces sautéed with garlic and red pepper flakes, then combined with a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce. Served over perfectly cooked linguine and finished with fresh lemon juice and parsley, this easy stovetop recipe delivers a comforting dinner that satisfies both weeknight and special occasion cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Sauté the chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
- Add garlic and spices: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with a little of the reserved pasta water and toss everything together until well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Finish and garnish: Stir in the lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley. Toss again to evenly distribute the flavors, then serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the dish.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese gives the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian American
