Description
This Chicken Scampi recipe features tender chicken tenderloins cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with white wine, lemon, and fresh parsley. Served over al dente pasta, it’s a quick and flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ lb chicken tenderloins
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup dry white wine
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- â…› tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- â…“ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
To Serve
- Pasta of your choice, cooked al dente
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry and season both sides evenly with salt and pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken tenderloins and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF, indicating they are fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer until it reduces by half, approximately 3 to 5 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Combine sauce and chicken: Stir in lemon juice, salt, black pepper, chopped parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes into the skillet. Return the cooked chicken tenderloins to the pan and simmer gently over medium-low heat until the chicken is warmed through and the flavors meld.
- Serve: Plate the chicken and pour the garlic butter sauce over your favorite al dente pasta. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for added aroma and taste. Serve immediately for best results.
Notes
- Use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for the best flavor in the sauce.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF for food safety.
- For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes according to your preference.
- Fresh parsley is recommended for a vibrant flavor, but dried parsley can be used in a pinch.
- Serving with freshly cooked pasta enhances the overall taste and texture.
