Creamy Italian Chicken Scampi Delight
Indulge in the rich flavors of this creamy Italian Chicken Scampi, inspired by the beloved dish from Olive Garden. With perfectly sautéed chicken, roasted garlic, colorful bell peppers, and a luscious white wine sauce, this dish captures the essence of authentic Italian cuisine right in your kitchen. Ideal for a cozy dinner or to impress guests, this recipe takes a moderate skill level but is well worth the effort. Serve it over delicate angel hair pasta and enjoy a taste of Italy at home!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 tablespoon (for white sauce)
flour
2 tablespoons (for thickening the sauce)
milk
3/4 cup (hot)
butter
3 tablespoons (for scampi sauce)
garlic
2 tablespoons (crushed)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon
dried cilantro
1 tablespoon (optional)
Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons
black pepper
to taste
white wine
3/4 cup
chicken broth
1 cup
angel hair pasta
1/2 lb (cooked and drained)
bell peppers
2 (thinly sliced)
red onion
1 (thinly sliced)
roasted garlic cloves
10
chicken breasts
2 (sliced)
olive oil
as needed (for cooking)
Instructions
1
Start by roasting your garlic: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Separate a head of garlic into individual cloves, leaving the skins on. Toss the cloves in olive oil, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or place them in a small dish with a lid. Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes.
2
In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until lightly golden. Gradually add 3/4 cup of hot milk, whisking to avoid lumps. Remove from heat and set aside.
3
In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Add the crushed garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of black pepper. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
4
Pour in 3/4 cup of white wine and 1 cup of chicken broth. Stir to combine and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes to reduce and concentrate the flavors.
5
Flatten the chicken breasts for even cooking, then coat with Wondra flour. In a separate skillet, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat and brown the chicken until nearly cooked through.
6
Add the thinly sliced bell peppers and red onion to the chicken, sautéing until they are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
7
Mix in 1/4 cup of the prepared white sauce and the roasted garlic cloves, sautéing everything together until heated through.
8
Serve the sauce over a bed of cooked and drained angel hair pasta for a delicious plate of Chicken Scampi.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Italian Chicken Scampi Delight?
It is a rich and flavorful pasta dish inspired by Olive Garden's chicken scampi, featuring sautéed chicken, bell peppers, and roasted garlic in a creamy white wine sauce.
Which restaurant inspired this Chicken Scampi recipe?
This recipe is a copycat version inspired by the beloved Chicken Scampi from Olive Garden.
How do I roast the garlic for this dish?
Separate a head of garlic into cloves with skins on, toss in olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes.
What temperature is required for roasting the garlic?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How do I make the white sauce base?
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter, whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour for 2 minutes, then gradually add 3/4 cup of hot milk until smooth.
How long should the scampi sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for 30 to 40 minutes to properly reduce and concentrate the flavors.
What kind of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
Delicate angel hair pasta is the ideal choice for serving this creamy chicken scampi.
How should the chicken breasts be prepared?
The chicken breasts should be flattened for even cooking and then coated with Wondra flour before browning.
What type of flour is used to coat the chicken?
Wondra flour is specified for coating the chicken to achieve the best texture.
Which vegetables are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes thinly sliced bell peppers and red onions.
What liquids are used for the scampi sauce reduction?
The reduction uses 3/4 cup of white wine and 1 cup of chicken broth.
What seasonings provide the Italian flavor profile?
Italian seasoning, crushed garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper provide the primary flavor.
Is cilantro included in this Italian recipe?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of dried cilantro is listed as an optional ingredient.
How many garlic cloves are added to the final sauce?
The recipe calls for 10 roasted garlic cloves to be mixed into the sauce at the end.
What is the skill level required for this recipe?
This recipe is considered to have a moderate skill level.
How do you finish the dish?
Mix the prepared white sauce and roasted garlic into the chicken and vegetable skillet, then serve over cooked angel hair pasta.
How much butter is needed in total?
You will need 4 tablespoons of butter in total: 1 for the white sauce and 3 for the scampi sauce.
Can I use any type of bell pepper?
The recipe suggests using two bell peppers; typically, colorful ones like red, yellow, or orange work best for this style of dish.
Why do you flatten the chicken breasts?
Flattening the chicken ensures it cooks evenly and quickly in the skillet.
What type of milk is used for the white sauce?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of hot milk.
What is the purpose of the flour and butter roux?
It acts as a thickening agent for the creamy white sauce component of the dish.
How many servings does this recipe make?
While the exact serving count isn't specified, the use of 2 chicken breasts and 1/2 lb of pasta typically serves 2 to 4 people.
Is this a spicy dish?
It has a mild kick from the 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, but it is primarily creamy and savory.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried garlic for the sauce base?
The scampi sauce base uses 2 tablespoons of crushed garlic, while the final assembly uses whole roasted garlic cloves.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food due to its rich, creamy sauce and pasta base.
How long does the garlic roasting process take?
Roasting the garlic takes approximately 30 minutes in the oven.
Can I use something other than angel hair pasta?
While angel hair is recommended for its delicate texture, you could substitute it with thin spaghetti or linguine.
What is the primary cooking fat used for browning the chicken?
Olive oil is used as needed to brown the chicken in a separate skillet.
How should the red onion be prepared?
The red onion should be thinly sliced before being sautéed with the bell peppers.
What makes the sauce 'scampi' style?
The combination of butter, garlic, white wine, and lemon-like acidity (though broth and wine are used here) defines the scampi flavor profile.