Chicken Scampi Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Prep: Ensure that all necessary ingredients are chopped, zested, juiced, and minced prior to heating the stove. Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper, then coat them with flour.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot, partially covering it to keep warm.
- Sauté Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter, then sauté the chicken for approximately 2 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165˚F on a thermometer). Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm. Add another tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet, then sauté the remaining chicken before transferring it to the plate and covering it.
- Make Sauce: Carefully add 3/4 cup white wine to the skillet, then return it to medium-high heat and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Cook for approximately 5 minutes or until the liquid reduces to about 1/4 cup. Add 4 tablespoons of butter and stir until melted. Add the garlic and simmer for 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove the skillet from heat and add 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1/4 cup parsley. Stir to combine and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste.
- Combine: Return the chicken to the skillet and coat it with the sauce. Transfer the drained pasta to a large serving bowl, then tilt the skillet and spoon any extra sauce over the spaghetti. Lightly toss the spaghetti with the sauce, then top it with the chicken and drizzle any remaining sauce over the pasta*. Garnish with additional parsley and freshly shredded Parmesan cheese.
Pro Tip: For a saucier pasta, deglaze your skillet with some of the reserved pasta water, then drizzle it over the pasta to ensure that all the delicious flavors are incorporated.
