Chicken Scampi
Chicken Scampi is one of those fast and flavorful dinners that always feels like more than the sum of its parts.
Tender chicken tenderloins seared to a golden finish, tossed in a lemony garlic butter sauce with just enough white wine and Parmesan to bring everything together.
It’s a restaurant-style meal that’s surprisingly easy to pull off, even on a busy weeknight.
Chicken Scampi Recipe Highlights
- 30-Minute Dinner with simple steps and familiar ingredients
- Rich Garlic Butter Sauce that’s perfectly balanced with lemon
- Family Favorite that works with spaghetti, angel hair, or even rice
- Easy to Customize with extra heat, more garlic, or your favorite pasta
- Weeknight Friendly without sacrificing comfort or flavor
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
CHICKEN – We use Chicken Tenderloin because they cook quickly and stay juicy, making them perfect for scampi. Leaving the tenderloins whole helps them get that beautiful golden sear. If using chicken breasts, slice them into strips for even cooking.
OLIVE OIL + BUTTER – The combination of oil and butter creates the best sear while adding richness to the dish. The oil keeps the butter from burning, and the butter adds a velvety texture to the sauce.
GARLIC – Fresh garlic is a must for that classic scampi flavor. Finely minced or thinly sliced garlic infuses the sauce with its rich aroma.
WHITE WINE – Adds depth to the sauce while deglazing the pan. A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc works best. If you prefer to skip the wine, use extra chicken broth with a small splash of lemon juice.
BROTH – For this recipe I use low-sodium chicken broth. It helps build the base of the sauce, keeping it flavorful and light. Use low-sodium broth to control the saltiness.
LEMON – Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish and balances the richness of the butter and garlic. Bottled lemon juice won’t give the same fresh flavor, so go for fresh if possible!
RED PEPPER FLAKES – Just a pinch adds a subtle heat that complements the garlicky butter sauce. You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
PARMESAN – A sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan adds a little extra umami to the dish. You don’t need much, but it makes a difference!
PARSLEY – A final sprinkle of fresh parsley adds brightness and color. I used curly parsley for this. It adds a fresh flavor and gives a nice pop of green on top.
How To Make Chicken Scampi
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Sear the chicken in olive oil until golden brown on both sides, then set it aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant.
- Add the wine and broth, then stir in lemon juice and Parmesan.
- Simmer until slightly reduced.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Let the Chicken Scampi cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. You can refrigerate it for up to three days. If you’re saving pasta too, store it in a separate container to keep it from soaking up too much sauce and turning mushy.
FREEZE – You can freeze the cooked Chicken Scampi and sauce separately in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to two months. To help the sauce reheat smoothly later, leave out the Parmesan when freezing and stir it in after reheating.
REHEAT – For the best texture, warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce and help it come together again. If you’re using the microwave, reheat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, so the chicken doesn’t dry out.
MAKE AHEAD – Chicken Scampi is a great meal to prep in parts. You can cook the chicken up to a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. The sauce also holds well overnight. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the sauce first, then add the chicken and warm gently until heated through. This helps keep the chicken juicy.
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Serving Suggestions
ROASTED ASPARAGUS – Roasting brings out the natural sweetness and gives a crisp-tender texture that works really well with the bright lemon butter sauce.
CRISP CHOPPED SALAD – A simple mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion with vinaigrette adds a cool, fresh contrast to the warm pasta and garlicky chicken.
GREEN BEANS – Sauté green beans in a bit of olive oil and until just tender. They’re quick, flavorful, and don’t compete with the sauce.
SAUTÉED MUSHROOMS – Mushrooms soak up the extra sauce and add a savory note that makes the whole dish feel heartier. Try baby bellas or sliced cremini for the best flavor.
BUTTERED NOODLES – If you’re feeding little ones or just want a milder side, plain buttered noodles are a great base for the chicken and sauce without adding extra flavors.
Recipe Success Tips
Searing the chicken properly – The secret to beautifully golden chicken is to pat the tenderloins completely dry before seasoning. Any moisture on the surface will create steam and prevent a good sear. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for a few minutes per side to build that gorgeous crust.
Choosing the right pan – If you want a deep golden sear, a stainless steel or cast iron skillet is the best choice for searing because it retains heat well and promotes browning. Nonstick pans won’t give you the same deep golden color.
Butter and olive oil work together – Olive oil has a higher smoke point, which helps prevent the butter from burning. The butter, on the other hand, adds richness to the dish. If you notice any burning, lower the heat slightly.
White wine adds depth – A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay gives the sauce a more complex flavor. If you prefer to skip it, replace it with extra chicken broth and a small splash of lemon juice for acidity.
Fresh garlic is a must – Mince your garlic finely for maximum flavor. Avoid jarred garlic since it can have a slightly bitter, muted taste. If you want a more mellow garlic flavor, thinly slice it instead of mincing.
Don’t burn the garlic – Garlic cooks very quickly and can turn bitter if overcooked. Keep the heat at medium when adding it to the butter and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
How to adjust the spice level – The red pepper flakes add a little warmth without making the dish overly spicy. If you love heat, feel free to increase the amount slightly. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can leave them out completely.
Simmer the sauce just enough – After adding the broth, wine, and lemon juice, let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to concentrate the flavors. However, don’t reduce it too much, or you won’t have enough to coat the chicken and spaghetti.
Adding Parmesan cheese – Stirring Parmesan into the sauce right before serving gives it a little extra umami richness. Use freshly grated Parmesan if possible—pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly due to anti-caking agents.
Finishing with fresh parsley – Curly parsley works great here – It holds up well and adds just the right amount of color and freshness. Flat-leaf works too if that’s what you have, but I like the texture curly parsley adds here.
Pairing it with spaghetti – Spaghetti is a great choice because it has enough surface area to soak up the sauce without overpowering the delicate flavors. Be sure to cook it al dente for the best texture.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I make Chicken Scampi without wine?
Yes! Simply replace the white wine with more chicken broth and a small squeeze of lemon juice. The acidity from the lemon helps mimic the depth that wine would add.
What pasta works best with Chicken Scampi?
Spaghetti is a great choice because it holds onto the sauce well without being too heavy. If you prefer a thinner pasta, angel hair also works nicely.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Yes! If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, slice them into thin strips to help them cook evenly and get that beautiful golden sear.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix one teaspoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of cold water and stir it into the sauce as it simmers. It will thicken slightly as it cooks.
How do I make the Chicken Scampi extra garlicky?
If you love a strong garlic flavor, increase the garlic to five or six cloves. You can also roast a few garlic cloves separately and mash them into the sauce for a sweeter, deeper garlic taste.
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Chicken Scampi
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, adjust to taste
- ½ cup dry white wine or additional chicken broth
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice about 1 lemon
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken tenderloins in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3–4 minutes until fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
- Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and let it simmer for another minute to soak up the flavors.
- Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Equipment
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.