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Easy Chicken Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta | Italian Chicken Dinner Recipe
Allison Bryant

Easy Chicken Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this sophisticated and quick Chicken Scampi. Combining tender chicken cutlets with a silky, light garlic-butter sauce, this dish features the vibrant brightness of fresh lemon zest and juice. It is a restaurant-quality meal that is perfect for busy evenings, offering a luxurious experience without the need for heavy creams or alcohol. Simply prepared and deeply comforting, this Italian-inspired classic will quickly become a household staple.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced into cutlets
  • 8 oz angel hair pasta
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook angel hair pasta until al dente; reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat.
  4. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side; remove and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up the browned bits.
  7. Return the chicken to the pan and toss in the cooked pasta, lemon zest, and half the parsley.
  8. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water to emulsify the sauce until it coats the noodles.
  9. Serve immediately garnished with the remaining parsley.

Notes

Ensure the chicken is sliced thinly to keep the cooking time short. For a low-carb version, substitute the angel hair pasta with zucchini noodles or hearts of palm noodles. The reserved pasta water is key to achieving a glossy, restaurant-style emulsion.