If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s delectable dishes, you’re in for a treat today as we delve into the magic behind the Olive Garden Chicken Scampi recipe. This popular dish is a favorite among patrons, and it’s no wonder, with its creamy pasta, tender chicken, and deliciously garlic-infused sauce. We’re about to embark on a culinary journey that will make your taste buds sing!
The Charm of the Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe
What makes the Olive Garden Chicken Scampi recipe so beloved? It’s the perfect blend of tender chicken, a creamy garlic sauce, and delicate angel hair pasta. The fresh parsley and parmesan cheese on top just seal the deal. The bright, colorful bell peppers add not only a pop of color but a delightful crunch that complements the creamy pasta dish perfectly.
Choosing the Right Ingredients
Choosing the right ingredients is crucial for any recipe, and this copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi recipe is no exception. Chicken tenderloins are a must; they cook quickly and are incredibly tender. For the vegetables, choose a mix of green bell peppers, small red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper to add color and flavor. The sauce is a decadent mix of olive oil, heavy cream, and garlic, with a splash of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for that authentic restaurant-quality meal experience.
Preparation: Cooking the Chicken
Cooking the chicken is the first step in creating this heavenly dish. Start by seasoning the chicken tenderloins with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Then, in a large skillet over medium high heat, cook the chicken until golden brown. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You’ll want to make sure to cook the chicken but not overdo it – you want tender chicken, not dry chicken!
Creating the Scampi Sauce
The scampi sauce is what pulls this dish together. In the same skillet, sauté red onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Add minced garlic, and red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with dry white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to get all the flavorful bits. Stir in chicken stock and heavy cream, then let it simmer until it thickens into a luscious, creamy white wine sauce.
Adding the Vegetables
Once your sauce is simmering, it’s time to add the veggies. The colorful bell peppers add a crunch and freshness that cuts through the richness of the scampi sauce. Cook them in the sauce until they’re just tender enough to bite through, but still maintain their bright color.
Combining the Pasta and Sauce
While your sauce is simmering, cook your pasta al dente according to the package directions. Then, combine the cooked pasta and scampi sauce, tossing gently to ensure every strand of pasta is coated in the creamy garlic sauce. This is the best way to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
Finishing Touches to the Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe
Once your pasta and sauce are combined, add your cooked chicken and toss again to combine. The final touch? A generous sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a handful of fresh parsley. These add an extra layer of flavor and make the dish look just like the Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi.
Enjoying Your Olive Garden Copycat Dish
Now comes the best part – enjoying your Olive Garden copycat dish! Whether you’re sitting down for a family dinner or hosting friends, this recipe is sure to impress. Serve it up with a side of garlic bread for a truly Olive Garden experience. And the best part? You don’t even need to leave your house!
Storing the Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors meld together overnight, making the leftovers just as delicious, if not more so, than the day you made it. This is truly a dish that keeps on giving!
Final Thoughts on the Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe
With this Olive Garden Chicken Scampi recipe in your repertoire, you can enjoy your favorite restaurant meal right at home. It’s a fantastic way to recreate a cherished dining experience, perfect for a cozy night in or a celebratory dinner. Happy cooking!
Olive Garden-Inspired Chicken Scampi Recipe
This Olive Garden-inspired Chicken Scampi is a creamy, flavorful dish that's perfect for a family dinner or a fancy date night at home. Enjoy it with a glass of white wine and some garlic bread for the ultimate Italian dining experience.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
Pasta
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season them with salt and pepper, then toss them in flour until fully coated.
- Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they're golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
- In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion. Cook until it becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and sliced bell peppers, cooking until they're soft.
- Pour in the white wine to deglaze the skillet, making sure to scrape the bottom to get all the flavorful bits. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce.
- Add the heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and salt to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the angel hair pasta according to the package instructions. Drain it and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- When the sauce has thickened, add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Stir well so that all the chicken pieces are coated with the sauce. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the fresh parsley and basil. Cook for another minute to let the herbs infuse their flavor into the dish.
- To serve, divide the pasta among four plates. Top with the chicken and sauce. Sprinkle some more fresh parsley and basil on top, if desired.
Notes
Enjoy this recipe with a glass of white wine and some garlic bread for the ultimate Italian dining experience.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 800Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 400mgCarbohydrates: 60gNet Carbohydrates: 56gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 40g
Olive Garden-Inspired Chicken Scampi Recipe
This Olive Garden-inspired Chicken Scampi is a creamy, flavorful dish that's perfect for a family dinner or a fancy date night at home. Enjoy it with a glass of white wine and some garlic bread for the ultimate Italian dining experience.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
Pasta
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season them with salt and pepper, then toss them in flour until fully coated.
- Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they're golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
- In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion. Cook until it becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and sliced bell peppers, cooking until they're soft.
- Pour in the white wine to deglaze the skillet, making sure to scrape the bottom to get all the flavorful bits. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce.
- Add the heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and salt to the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the angel hair pasta according to the package instructions. Drain it and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- When the sauce has thickened, add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Stir well so that all the chicken pieces are coated with the sauce. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the fresh parsley and basil. Cook for another minute to let the herbs infuse their flavor into the dish.
- To serve, divide the pasta among four plates. Top with the chicken and sauce. Sprinkle some more fresh parsley and basil on top, if desired.
Notes
Enjoy this recipe with a glass of white wine and some garlic bread for the ultimate Italian dining experience.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 800Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 400mgCarbohydrates: 60gNet Carbohydrates: 56gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 40g