Description
A deliciously creamy and savory dish that combines tender chicken tenders, pasta, and a flavorful garlic, lemon, and white wine sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this chicken scampi pasta is both comforting and full of vibrant, zesty flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3/4 cup dry white wine (Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water for later.
- Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken tenders in batches and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the wine to simmer and reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet, followed by the cooked spaghetti and reserved pasta water. Toss to combine.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and chopped parsley. Toss until the butter is melted and the pasta is coated with the sauce.
- Serve the pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce for some heat.
- If you prefer a creamier sauce, add 1/4 cup heavy cream when you add the lemon juice.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American