Chicken Scampi Pasta Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

 INGREDIENTS:

12 oz spaghetti

1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders

1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp olive oil, divided

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided

3/4 cup dry white wine, chardonnay or sauvignon blanc

4 garlic cloves, (1 Tbsp minced)

1 tsp lemon zest, from 1 lemon

1/4 cup lemon juice, from 2 lemons

1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped

Parmesan, freshly shredded to serve

 INSTRUCTIONS:

Prep: chop, zest, juice, and mince all of your ingredients before you start cooking. Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper then dredge in flour.

Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 Tbsp salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water then drain the pasta and return pasta to the pot. Partially cover to keep warm.

Sautee chicken: While pasta is cooking, cook the chicken. Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat. Add 1 Tbsp oil and swirl in 1 Tbsp butter. Sauté chicken 2 minutes per side or until golden and cooked through to 165˚F on a thermometer. Remove to a plate. Add another Tbsp of oil and 1 Tbsp butter and sauté the second batch of chicken then transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Make sauce: Carefully add 3/4 cup white wine. Return to medium/high heat and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Cook about 5 minutes or until reduced to about 1/4 cup liquid. Add 4 Tbsp butter and stir to melt. Add garlic and simmer 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1/4 cup parsley. Stir to combine and season with 1/2 tsp salt or to taste.

Combine: Return chicken to the pan and turn to coat in sauce. Transfer drained pasta to a large serving bowl then tilt the pan and spoon extra sauce over cooked spaghetti. Toss spaghetti lightly with sauce then top with chicken and drizzle remainin.