Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe. If you are a fan of old-fashioned Italian-American food, then the Olive Garden Chicken Scampi is a dish that would naturally appeal to you. With its creamy, flavorful sauce and tender chicken breast, it’s no surprise this has become a favorite. It’s the perfect combination of garlic, butter, and a little lemon. Whether you’re eager to replicate this adored restaurant dish at home or you simply want to add another delicious recipe to your arsenal, Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi is definitely a winner.
This is a great flavor and texture combination in a salad. The chicken is perfectly seared and coated in a creamy garlic butter sauce with just a little extra golden Parmesan goodness. It’s great served over a pile of pasta, making it one of those comfort foods that is special enough for a special occasion yet easy and relaxing enough for weeknights. The Chicken Scampi Olive Garden recipe brings restaurant-quality cooking to your kitchen.
If you’ve ever wanted to make Olive Garden Chicken Scampi at home, now is your chance. This guide will help you through each stage of the process, from selecting ingredients to methods that ensure a right-from-the-restaurant meal. The perfect quick and delicious dinner, this copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi is an easy dish that the entire family can enjoy!
What You’ll Need for Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
To recreate the magic of Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi at home, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s relatively simple but delivers bold, rich flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this dish. They’re easy to cook and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Butter and olive oil: These two ingredients are essential for creating the luscious garlic butter sauce that defines the dish.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds that aromatic kick, and it’s a key flavor in the scampi sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese helps thicken the sauce and adds a salty, savory touch to the dish.
- Heavy cream: The creaminess in the sauce comes from heavy cream, which makes it rich and velvety.
- Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice balances the richness of the sauce and adds a citrusy brightness.
- Pasta: Olive Garden traditionally serves this dish with angel hair pasta, but you can use any pasta you prefer.
These ingredients are easy to find, and many of them are likely already in your kitchen. Once you have them ready, you can start cooking!
How to Make Olive Garden Chicken Scampi – Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you have everything you need, let’s walk through the steps to create this delicious dish. While making Chicken Scampi may seem intimidating, it’s actually quite simple if you follow these instructions:
- Serve and gobble up: To serve your Chicken Scampi from scratch, top with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese and either parsley or lemon zest if you like. Serve with a light salad or garlic bread for a delicious meal.
- Cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, then cook the chicken about 5-7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the smoker and let it rest.
- Make the sauce: To the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Allow the garlic to cook for 1-2 minutes, until it becomes aromatic. Next, add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix to combine until the sauce thickens.
- Finish the dish: While this is simmering, cook your pasta according to package instructions. When it’s done, drop it into the skillet with the sauce and get that pasta good and coated. Cube the chicken and add it on top of your pasta. Mix everything gently to combine.
Tips and Variations for Perfecting Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
While the base recipe is already delicious, there are a few tips and variations you can try to make the dish even more special:
- Chicken alternatives: If you’re not a fan of chicken breasts, you can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful option.
- Adding veggies: For extra flavor and texture, consider adding vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce.
- Make it spicier: If you enjoy a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Gluten-free option: Swap regular pasta for gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.
- Lemon zest: For an even brighter citrus flavor, add freshly grated lemon zest to the dish just before serving.
These simple tweaks can make the recipe more personalized while still keeping the essence of the original dish intact.
Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe
Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe is a great way to show that special someone you love them! First of all, it’s so flavorful and yet so easy to prepare that it works just as well for busy weeknights or for special occasions. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and fresh pasta make every bite a pleasure. And you can easily customize it to suit your own taste, so it is versatile that everyone at the table will enjoy.
Whether you want something to dive into during a nap or something to throw down in front of the company, Olive Garden Chicken Scampi fits the bill. It’s easy to make, calls for uncomplicated ingredients, and delivers a fabulous, restaurant-quality dinner worthy of frequent celebration in your cooking rotation.
The Secret to the Perfect Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Sauce
One of the reasons I love Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi is that it has a luscious, garlicky sauce. The sauce is what makes it so rich and indulgent-tasting. Here’s how to do that, to get it to taste just like the restaurant’s.
First, you sauté garlic in butter, the aroma of which hits you before anything else. After the garlic is a nice, softened golden color, heavy cream and Parmesan go in for that rich, creamy texture. A squeeze of lemon juice provides a note of tartness that cuts the richness. This is a killer combo of flavors and exactly the base we need for that Chicken Scampi sauce. The best part? The creamy element is up to you – add more cream for a thicker sauce, or thin it out with some chicken broth.
Not only does this sauce perfectly cover the chicken and pasta, but its silken quality makes for a lovely taste of luxury with every bite. It’s the sort of sauce you find yourself dipping your bread into long after your meal has ended.
Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe – The Perfect Meal for Any Occasion
Chicken Scampi is one of those go-to recipes that’s good anytime. Both a weeknight and company dish, this recipe hits the golden mean. It’s easy enough for a family night, but rich and creamy enough to serve at parties. The best part? You could be on the table in less than 30 minutes, which turns out to be a fantastic option for those crazy nights when you want something comforting but with some flair.
Serve it with a light, crisp salad and some garlic bread or even a glass of white wine, and you have yourself an entire restaurant-quality meal without ever having to leave the house. You’re never going to get tired of this Chicken Scampi recipe, whether you’re making it for yourself or your family.
Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Cooking spoon or spatula
- Pot for boiling pasta
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 8 oz angel hair pasta or pasta of choice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish, optional
- Extra Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine, letting the mixture come to a simmer. Once simmering, add the Parmesan cheese, and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Add the fresh lemon juice to balance the richness of the sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in a large pot according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta once it is al dente, and set aside.
- Combine the Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the creamy garlic sauce. Toss to coat the pasta thoroughly in the sauce, ensuring it’s evenly mixed.
- Slice the Chicken and Serve: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips and add them to the pasta in the skillet. Toss again to combine and ensure the chicken is coated with the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Chicken Variations: If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier, more flavorful alternative. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Gluten-Free: To make this dish gluten-free, substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta.
- Creaminess: For a richer sauce, add more cream or a splash of chicken broth if you want a lighter version.
- Vegetables: Add sautéed vegetables like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms to give the dish extra texture and flavor.
- Spicy Version: If you enjoy a little heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Leftovers: Leftover Chicken Scampi can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of cream if the sauce thickens too much.
