Description
This Chicken Scampi recipe is a light and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines tender chicken breast, whole wheat angel hair pasta, garlic, and fresh spinach in a tangy lemon and white wine sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a high-protein, family-friendly meal perfect for a quick yet satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 8 ounces whole wheat angel hair pasta (or your favorite plain or gluten-free pasta)
- 24 ounces chicken breasts (from 3 boneless skinless breasts)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
For Cooking
- Olive oil spray
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 4 garlic cloves (thinly sliced)
- ¾ cup dry white wine (or broth)
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes, halved)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into small ½ inch cubes. Season the chicken on both sides with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a very large skillet over high heat. When the pan is hot, spray it with olive oil and add half the chicken. Cook until browned on all sides and no longer pink inside, about 2 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate, then repeat with the remaining chicken. Set cooked chicken aside and reduce the skillet heat to medium.
- Sauté garlic and deglaze: Add ½ tablespoon butter to the skillet and melt it. Add the thinly sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the white wine or broth, add crushed red pepper flakes and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook while scraping the bottom of the pan until the liquid reduces by half, about 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes: Stir in halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to soften them.
- Finish the sauce: Add the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons butter and melt. Stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Toss pasta with chicken and spinach: Return the drained pasta to the pot or skillet. Add the cooked chicken and baby spinach, tossing over low heat for about 1 minute until the spinach wilts. Incorporate the sauce and add some reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the mixture.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the pasta and serve immediately. Optionally, add plenty of grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- This Chicken Scampi recipe is light, nutritious, and great for busy weeknights.
- Using whole wheat pasta adds extra fiber and nutrients while keeping the dish hearty.
- Substitute white wine with chicken or vegetable broth for a non-alcoholic option.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
- Serve with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 482.5 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 373.5 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42.5 g
- Fiber: 7.5 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 139.4 mg
