Chicken Scampi
A quick and comforting weeknight pasta dish that tastes like a restaurant favorite, featuring tender chicken, bright lemon, and garlicky warmth over delicate angel hair pasta.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta Substitute spaghetti or gluten-free pasta if needed.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Or use avocado oil.
- 1 medium onion, chopped Yellow or sweet onion works.
- 1 cup colored bell peppers, sliced Mix red, yellow, and orange for color.
- 1 lb chicken tenders, sliced Or chicken breast cut into strips.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced Adjust to taste.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth Low-sodium preferred.
- 1/4 cup lemon juice Freshly squeezed for best flavor.
- to taste Salt and pepper
- for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the angel hair according to package directions (usually 3–4 minutes). Drain, toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once shimmering, add the chopped onion and sliced bell peppers. Sauté until softened, about 4–6 minutes.
- Push the veggies to the side, add the sliced chicken tenders to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through—about 3–5 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Stir the chicken and vegetables together, add the minced garlic, and cook for about 30–60 seconds until fragrant—don’t let the garlic burn.
- Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes to meld flavors and reduce slightly.
- Add the cooked angel hair to the skillet and toss gently to coat.
- If the sauce seems thin, simmer for another minute or add a tablespoon of reserved pasta water to bind the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished generously with chopped fresh parsley and an optional sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
Notes
For a richer sauce, stir in 1–2 tablespoons butter or a splash of heavy cream at the end. You can swap chicken for shrimp or a seafood mix for a true scampi feel.