Quick Cheap Easy Chicken Scampi Family Friendly
Transform weeknight dinners with this Quick, Cheap, and Easy Chicken Scampi recipe that’s perfect for busy families! Featuring tender bites of seasoned chicken breast, a luscious garlic butter sauce, and a splash of fresh lemon for a tangy twist, this dish is served over your favorite pasta for a comforting meal everyone will love. With just 10 minutes of prep time and a simple ingredient list—including pantry staples like spaghetti, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese—it’s budget-friendly and quick to make! A hint of optional red pepper flakes adds a mild kick, while fresh parsley brings color and freshness to the plate. Perfect for feeding four in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly pasta dinner is your go-to for flavorful, fuss-free cooking.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Spaghetti (or any pasta of choice)
- 1 lb Chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the remaining water and set the pasta aside.
While the pasta is cooking, cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes.
Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the mixture seems too dry.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until the cheese melts and coats the pasta evenly.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or black pepper as needed.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
510 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.4 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.6 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 130 mg | 43% | |
| Sodium | 943 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28.5 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.9 g | ||
| Protein | 45.2 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 148 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 419 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
