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Lemon Garlic Chicken scampi

Lemon Garlic Chicken Scampi

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Large skillet (preferably stainless steel or cast iron for even browning)
  • Medium saucepan (for pasta)
  • Tongs or spatula
  • Microplane (for zesting)
  • Garlic press or knife

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Marinade

  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced thinly
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Scampi Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • Juice of 1 lemon about 2 tablespoons
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta

  • 12 oz linguine or angel hair pasta
  • Salt for pasta water

Optional Garnish

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Extra lemon wedges
  • Crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

Marinate the Chicken

  1. Combine chicken breast slices, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Let this sit for 15 minutes at room temperature. This quick marinade infuses the chicken with citrusy brightness and tenderizes it slightly.

Boil the Pasta

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your linguine or angel hair pasta and cook until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Cook the Chicken

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear the marinated chicken in batches. Cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set aside on a plate.

Make the Scampi Sauce

  1. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add butter and olive oil. Once melted, stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Add the chicken stock, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce

  1. Return the chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and a bit of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the scampi sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra lemon juice if needed.

Garnish and Serve

  1. Top with freshly chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, and optional red pepper flakes. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.