Love Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi? Now you can make this restaurant favorite at home! 🍗🍋🍝 This copycat recipe features tender sautéed chicken, a creamy garlic butter sauce, colorful bell peppers, and perfectly cooked pasta, all tossed together for the ultimate comfort meal.
The best part? It’s easier than you think! With just 30 minutes of cooking time, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or when you’re craving that creamy, garlicky goodness from Olive Garden—without the restaurant bill!
Ingredients for Chicken Scampi
This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create an incredibly rich and flavorful dish.
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour (for a light coating)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Scampi Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- ½ cup (125ml) dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup (250ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (125ml) chicken broth
- ¼ cup (30g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Pasta & Vegetables
- 12 oz (340g) angel hair pasta (or spaghetti)
- 1 small red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small green bell pepper, sliced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
How to Make Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
This easy, one-pan meal comes together in just a few simple steps!
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook angel hair pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Season chicken strips with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Lightly dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off excess.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté chicken for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Bell Peppers
- In the same skillet, add sliced bell peppers and sauté for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Scampi Sauce
- In the same skillet, add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in white wine (or chicken broth), scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until reduced.
- Add heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir well and simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
Step 5: Combine Everything
- Return chicken, bell peppers, and pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until fully coated in the sauce.
- Simmer for 2 more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy your Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Copycat!
Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Want a Lighter Version?
- Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or Greek yogurt.
- Use zucchini noodles or whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta.
- Use grilled chicken instead of pan-fried for fewer calories.
Make it Dairy-Free
- Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
Don’t Have Wine?
- Use extra chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.
Make It Spicier!
- Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing Leftovers
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating
- Stovetop: Reheat over medium heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to refresh the sauce.
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Can You Freeze It?
- The pasta may get slightly soft, but you can freeze the sauce and chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving with fresh pasta.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What pasta works best for this dish?
Angel hair pasta is traditional, but spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine work great too!
2. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes! Just slice it thin and warm it in the sauce before serving.
3. Can I use shrimp instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Just cook shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side instead of chicken.
4. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Make the sauce and cook the chicken ahead, then just reheat and toss with fresh pasta before serving.
5. Is this dish very spicy?
It has a slight kick from red pepper flakes, but you can leave them out for a milder version.
6. Can I add more vegetables?
Definitely! Try adding mushrooms, spinach, or asparagus.
7. What wine pairs well with this dish?
A light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio pairs perfectly. 🍷
8. What can I serve with Chicken Scampi?
- Garlic bread 🥖
- A crisp Caesar salad 🥗
- Roasted asparagus or green beans 🌿
9. How do I thicken the sauce?
Let it simmer for a few extra minutes, or add a little more Parmesan cheese.
10. Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! Just use gluten-free pasta and flour for dredging the chicken.
Conclusion
This Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Copycat is creamy, garlicky, and bursting with flavor. With tender chicken, sautéed bell peppers, and a rich Parmesan sauce, it’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s easy to make at home.
Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dinner or an impressive date night, this Chicken Scampi recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. Try it today—you’ll never need to go to Olive Garden again!
🔥 Love Italian recipes? Try pairing this with Homemade Garlic Bread or Classic Caesar Salad for a full restaurant-style meal!
Pinterest Pin Description (Funny & Attention-Grabbing)
🍝 Craving Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi? Now you can make it better & cheaper at home!
✅ One pan, zero stress, ALL the flavor
✅ Creamy, garlicky, and loaded with Parmesan 🧄🧀
✅ So easy, you’ll wonder why you ever paid $20 for it 😏
👉 Click for the recipe before I eat it all myself! #ChickenScampi #PastaLover #BetterThanOliveGarden