This Chicken Scampi Recipe is bursting with flavor from the creamy wine sauce, sauteed peppers, and juicy chicken tenders. It’s also super easy and quick to make!
If you make this, be sure to serve it with an antipasto salad, fluffy focaccia bread, and garlic herb bread dipping oil. Now that’s what I call a done deal meal!
Table Of Contents
Why this chicken scampi is better than Olive Garden’s
Hot noodles covered in a rich and creamy sauce and mixed with crisp veggies and juicy chicken. Thats what everyone loves about Olive Garden’s chicken scampi right? Well, guess what? When you make it from scratch at home, it tastes 10 times better! Seriously, the flavors of this amazing pasta dish are so mouthwatering!
Ingredients
- For the chicken– You want to dredge the chicken tenders in a combination of flour, salt, pepper, and Italian spices. Then pan sear it with some oil and butter in a skillet
- Vegetables- You will need yellow onion, bell peppers, and fresh garlic.
- Sauce- Make sure to reserve some pasta water, then you will need dry white wine, heavy cream, and of course parmesan cheese.
- Pasta- This 30 minutes pasta recipe is usually served with angel hair but you can use whichever kind you like.
How To Make Chicken Scampi
This is a quick rundown of how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos. For the full detailed recipe, scroll down to the printable recipe card.
- Dredge the chicken tenders in a combination of flour, salt, Italian spices, and black pepper.
- Then brown the chicken in a skillet filled with olive oil over medium-high heat. Then remove and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables- In the same skillet, cook the minced garlic, chopped onion, and bell peppers. Then add the white wine and let it cook out for a few minutes. At this point, go ahead and add the salt and Italian spices.
- Cook the pasta- al dente and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Then add the pasta water, heavy cream. Bring it to a simmer and toss in the parmesan cheese and cooked pasta
Serving Suggestions
- Salad- Since there is already meat here you want to go for a light salad like our easy spinach salad or chopped italian salad.
- bread- focaccia is a classic, but a crusty harvest bread or rustic bread will pair well too.
- soup– another Olive garden copycat would be chicken gnocchi soup or even Zuppa Toscana.
Substitutions and add-ins
- PASTA– I use thin spaghetti (angel hair pasta) but you can use any pasta you like.
- WINE– use a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or dry sherry. If you don’t want to use wine, use chicken broth instead.
- CHICKEN– Olive Garden chicken scampi pasta uses chicken tenders. If you don’t have chicken tenders, you can always just cut the chicken breast into smaller cutlets.
- USE OTHER VEGGIES– If you don’t want to use bell peppers, use broccoli, zucchini, or yellow squash instead.
Storing and reheating chicken scampi
Store this chicken pasta dish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The best way to reheat it is on a skillet over medium-low heat. It can also be microwaved as well.
More Italian recipes to try!
Recipe Video
Full Recipe Instructions
Chicken Scampi Recipe
This chicken scampi is a delicious chicken pasta dish that is very easy and quick to make. Its loaded with crisp peppers, garlic, and a creamy white wine sauce.
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Servings: 8
Calories: 661kcal
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian spices divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp salt divided
- 1 1/2 lb. chicken tenders
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 green bell pepper julienned
- 1 yellow bell pepper julienned
- 1 red bell pepper julienned
Sauce
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 cup pasta water
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb. angel hair pasta
Instructions
- Combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 tsp Italian spices, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp salt in a flat dish.
- Dredge both sides of each chicken tender in the flour mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Fully cook both sides of the chicken tenders. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, and the butter, minced garlic, and chopped onion. Cook over medium heat until the onion is translucent.
- Add the green, yellow, and red bell peppers to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Pour in the white wine and cook it out for about 3-4 minutes. Then add 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp Italian spices.
- Cook the angel hair pasta according to the package and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Add the pasta water and heavy cream to the skillet.
- Once the heavy cream has warmed, add the Parmesan cheese and cooked pasta. Toss to combine.
Notes
What to serve with chicken scampi
- Salad- Since there is already meat here you want to go for a light salad like our easy spinach salad or chopped italian salad.
- bread- focaccia is a classic, but a crusty harvest bread or rustic bread will pair well too.
- soup- another Olive garden copycat would be chicken gnocchi soup or even Zuppa Toscana.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 661kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 920mg | Potassium: 583mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2030IU | Vitamin C: 60.9mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 1.5mg
Did you make this recipe? Snap a photo of it and tag me on Instagram @simplyhomecooked or use the hashtag #simplyhomecooked so I can see it and feature it!
This recipe was originally posted on Feb 10, 2016, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!
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Stephanie says
I love Olive Garden chicken scampi but I live nowhere near an Olive Garden. I found this recipe and it tastes just like it only better if that makes sense. I’ve made it a few times now and I follow the recipe exactly and it’s always delicious!
Dina says
Wow that’s incredible Stephanie! I am so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this chicken scampi so much! Thank you for your kind feedback 🙂
Jennifer says
Can this be frozen?
Dina says
Hi Jennifer, unfortunately, I don’t think the creamy sauce will freeze well with the pasta.
Leona So says
This is one great recipe to make .I have enjoyed all of your recipes over the time I became a member ,also your cakes etc. thank you so much for all of your recipes it has been a joy cooking with you .Leona So Mechelen Belgium.
Dina says
You are so kinda Leona! 🙂 I am truly very happy to hear that you love my recipes so much! That is the reason I make recipes for people! Thank you so much for your continued support! 🙂
Stefani says
Followed this recipe to a T and it’s every bit as good as Olive Garden’s. My daughter request this almost weekly. I’ve even subbed shrimp for the chicken and penne for the angel hair. This one’s a winner!
Dina says
Wow Stefani! That is amazing! I love hearing recipe reviews like this! Thank you for the kind feedback!
Mary says
OMG this recipe is literally amazing!!!!!!! You HAVE to try this! I have a family of 7 and literally EVERYONE loved it and that never happens!!!! I’m definitely putting this in the rotation! The chicken was soo good I’m going to make it again tonight with some cilantro rice!! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Dina says
Yay! It is always a win when the whole family loves a recipe! That is so awesome to hear that you loved this chicken scampi recipe so much, Mary! Glad to hear this will now be a repeat in your home! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your kind review and I hope you find more recipes from my blog for your family to enjoy! 🙂
Karla says
I am definitely making this tomorrow or the next. Yummy!
Dina says
I hope you love this chicken scampi recipe! Let me know how it goes, Karla 🙂
Lori says
How much olive oil should be in the pan when you sdd the chicken?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Lori. the recipe calls for 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil.
Carole says
Hi! This looks great. Can I use half and half or a lighter cream instead of “heavy cream” for the sauce? Will it change the consistency? Thanks!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Carole! Thank you 🙂 Technically you can use half and half. However, it will make the consistency runnier. Mixing the half and half with the heavy cream might be a good alternative. Hope that helps clarify and I hope you love this Chicken scampi recipe 🙂
Stacy Jensen says
Made this last night and it was great! My whole family enjoyed it!
simplyhomecooked says
Thats awesome Stacy! Thank you for taking the time to write your positive recipe review 🙂
Bfp says
I was a but disappointed. There was way too much heavy cream and I’m the sauce was a bit bland. Also, could you add how to serve the recipe, I mean do you add the chicken back to the pasta or do you serve the pasta over the chicken. Please add more detail, thanks.
simplyhomecooked says
I’m sorry to hear that. In regards to the dish being bland, you can always season it with more salt to your liking to bring out the flavors. As to how to serve it, thats totally up to you. In the pictures, I just added it on top of the pasta.
Leah says
This is a dead ringer! Tastes exactly like Olive Garden’s chicken scampi 😍 I am super excited about this because our nearest OG is 45 minutes away and most other places usually have shrimp scampi (not a fan of seafood). I think I will change the breading to a parmesan crusted chicken that my kiddos like and I also aadded more salt to the sauce but that’s really just personal preference. Fantastic recipe!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you so much for the kind feedback Leah! I am glad to hear this chicken scampi was a hit 🙂
Julia Frey says
This Chicken Scampi looks like such a treat but also so simple to make, Dina! I am saving this recipe for sure!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you, Julia! I know we share an undeniable love for pasta, so I can guarantee that you will love this chicken scampi recipe!
Valentina says
LOOKS AMAZING!! I can almost taste the flavors of the sauce and vegetables with chicken. Will be making this when I am craving Olive Garden.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you, Valentina! This chicken scampi pasta is our go-to recipe when craving Olive Garden copy cat recipes.
Katya says
I’ve never tried chicken scampi before! This looks so good Dina. I need to make it asap.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you, Katya! This chicken scampi is dangerous! Once you start eating it, it’s hard to stop! lol
Ghaniya says
It looks like alot of sauce, do I have to wait for my sauce to be reduced before adding the pasta?
Dina says
It seems like a lot of sauce at first, but almost all of it gets absorbed into the pasta.
NatTim says
This Chicken Scampi recipe looks so easy and quick to make. I Love all the other pasta recipes you have linked as well. I need to add them to our weekly menu.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you, Natalya! We make this chicken scampi pasta so often, its practically tradition now lol.
calico says
That is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read article!
irina khoma says
It’s so good! I like the vegetables mixed with pasta.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Irina 🙂
Ernest trueblood says
I am so excited I’m making this for my wife tonight
simplyhomecooked says
Oh how lovely! She will love it!
Liliya says
Very delicious,mouthwatering Chicken Scampi Recipe. Love it, very good for a party. My whole family approved it and asked for more????????????
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Liliya! I’m so glad your family enjoyed it ????
Z-S says
Delicious…. Delicious… and once again Delicious.
Since we’re not a big fan of angel hair pasta we made substitution to spaghetti pasta.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed the chicken scampi 🙂
Julianna says
This was really good! I made it tonight for dinner, and the kids loved it too! It looked too good to wait till Valentine’s Day.
simplyhomecooked says
Julianna I’m glad to hear your whole family loved the chicken scampi 🙂 I appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback 🙂