Description
This healthy and flavorful Chicken Scampi recipe features tender chicken breast cubes sautéed with garlic, cherry tomatoes, and a touch of white wine, tossed with whole wheat angel hair pasta and fresh spinach. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect family-friendly weeknight dinner packed with protein and vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces whole wheat angel hair pasta (such as Delallo, or your favorite plain or gluten-free pasta)
Chicken
- 24 ounces chicken breasts (from 3 boneless skinless breasts)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- Olive oil spray
Sauce & Vegetables
- 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)
- 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 Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This ensures your pasta will be perfectly seasoned while cooking.
- Season the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into small ½ inch cubes. Season 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 hot, spray with olive oil and add half the chicken cubes. Cook until browned on all sides and no longer pink inside, about 2 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken. Set all cooked chicken aside and reduce skillet heat to medium.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: Add ½ tablespoon butter to the skillet and melt. Add 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. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Cook the sauce until it reduces by half, approximately 2 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to soften.
- Finish Sauce: Add the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons butter and melt. Stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice. Remove the skillet from heat to preserve the bright flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Add the angel hair pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Toss Together: Return the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked chicken and toss to combine. Add the baby spinach and cook for 1 minute, gently tossing to wilt the spinach and incorporate it with the sauce. If the mixture seems dry, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish the dish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately. Complement with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- This Chicken Scampi recipe is a light, family-friendly weeknight dinner that’s high in protein and ready in under 30 minutes.
- Using whole wheat pasta adds fiber and a nutty flavor, but gluten-free pasta can be substituted for dietary needs.
- For a non-alcoholic version, replace white wine with chicken broth.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to taste for desired heat level.
- Serve with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables 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: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42.5 g
- Fiber: 7.5 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 139.4 mg
