Chicken Scampi

Chicken Scampi is a shellfish-free version of the classic shrimp scampi. The name refers to the style of sauce. Historically, “scampi” referred to a type of shellfish called a langoustine. The story goes that Italian immigrants couldn’t find langoustines in the U.S., so they substituted shrimp and supposedly started referring to the dish as shrimp scampi. They were using the same sauce as they would for the dish with langoustine (in other words, “shrimp in scampi-style sauce”). Whether that’s actually what happened is debatable but the evolution of the chicken version is clear: It’s shrimp scampi made with chicken, hence the name “chicken scampi.”

This version here is basic and doesn’t require dredging the chicken or any other special steps. The recipe makes a couple of servings and is great for those times when you don’t want to have to think about storing leftovers. It can be expanded easily so it’s still a great meal for a crowd.

Chicken Scampi Ingredients

• Uncooked linguine: Linguine is substantial enough to provide a great carby base for the chicken and sauce and thin enough not to take over the recipe.
• Butter: Sauteing aromatics in butter creates a lovely, richly flavored sauce base.
• Green onions and garlic cloves: These add flavor and aroma to the dish, especially after being sauteed in butter and oil.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and make preparing this dish very easy.
• Seeded tomatoes: Removing the seeds as you chop up the tomatoes helps prevent the sauce from becoming too watery and improves the sauces texture.
• Lemon juice: This gives the dish a bright flavor that pairs well with the tomatoes, onion and garlic.
• Fresh parsley: This adds more flavor that pairs well with the other aromatics.
• Parmesan cheese: Use this as a garnish to give the final dish a savory, umami flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta and chicken

Cook the linguine according to the instructions on the package. As the pasta cooks, heat up a large skilet over medium heat and add the butter and oil. Then, add the onion and garlic and cook both until they’re tender (this won’t take long). Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the chicken breasts, and add them to the skillet. Cook them for about three to four minutes on each side; a thermometer inserted in the center of the chicken pieces should read 165°F when they’re done. At that point, remove the chicken from the skillet, but keep the pieces warm.

Step 2: Make the sauce and assemble the dish

Add the tomatoes, lemon juice and parsley to the skillet after you’ve removed the chicken. Heat the mixture through, and then drain the linguine. Toss the tomato mixture with the linguine, place the chicken on top of the mixture and sprinkle Parmesan over the food.

Chicken Scampi Variations

• Serve with crusty bread instead of pasta: Not all scampi is served with pasta; some is served with some nice, crusty bread. Use the bread to soak up the sauce.
• Use shrimp: You can always use shrimp instead of chicken to turn this into a version of the classic shrimp scampi. Or you can try another recipe, such as this one for Shrimp Scampi.

How to Store Chicken Scampi

Store leftover Chicken Scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Eat the remaining leftovers within three to four days.

Can you freeze Chicken Scampi?

This dish really won’t freeze and thaw well, so storing it in the freezer isn’t advised.

Chicken Scampi Tips

What can you serve with Chicken Scampi?

Basic side dishes for Chicken Scampi are garlic bread and a vegetable side dish. If you want to drink wine with your meal, white wine is very good here. If you want something non-alcoholic, flavored seltzers, sparkling waters and other carbonated drinks could be a good choice if you don’t want tea or coffee.

How can you make the taste of the Chicken Scampi more intense?

If you want the flavor to be more intense, try dredging the chicken in flour that’s mixed with seasonings like Italian herbs. You could also try adding some red pepper flakes or a little hot sauce to the dish if you want to increase the spice. Start with a little and work your way up in spice; you can always add more pepper but you can’t take it away.

Do you have to use linguine if you want to serve this with pasta?

No, you can try other types of pasta. Shaped pasta also can replace long noodles. Linguine is just a commonly used type of pasta for this dish.