If you’re searching for a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, let me introduce you to the incredible Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs Recipe. This vibrant, flavorful meal marries tender chicken strips bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce, brightened by fresh herbs and a hint of lemon. It’s comfort food elevated to a whole new level, perfect for impressing guests or making a weeknight dinner feel truly special. The freshness of parsley and basil combined with the savory sauce creates a harmony that’s just irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting to know the ingredients makes you appreciate how straightforward and fresh this dish really is. Each component plays a vital role, from the tender chicken creating the hearty base to the fresh herbs bringing brightness and color that wakes up your taste buds.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, sliced thin for quick, even cooking and tender bites every time.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning to bring out natural flavors without overpowering.
- All-purpose flour: Helps create a delicate crust on the chicken and thickens the sauce slightly.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a rich, creamy foundation for the sauce, balancing the garlic’s intensity.
- Olive oil: Adds a fruity undertone and helps achieve that beautiful golden sear on the chicken.
- Garlic: Minced and aromatic, it’s the star flavor that permeates this scampi dish.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional but highly recommended for a subtle kick that livens things up.
- Chicken broth: Adds moisture and depth to the sauce without heaviness.
- Dry white wine: Optional, but when used, it infuses a subtle acidity and complexity to the sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brings brightness and a zesty balance to the buttery richness.
- Fresh parsley and basil: Chopped fresh herbs give the dish vibrant color and a garden-fresh finish.
- Cooked pasta: Your choice for serving; it absorbs the flavorful sauce and rounds out the meal.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by seasoning your thinly sliced chicken strips with salt and black pepper. Then, coat each piece in all-purpose flour evenly. This step sets the stage for a golden, crisp exterior that keeps the chicken juicy inside, creating delightful texture with every bite.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat up 2 tablespoons of butter along with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts and starts to sizzle, gently lay the floured chicken strips in the pan. Cooking them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side achieves that perfect golden brown sear that you’ll want to savor.
Step 3: Set the Chicken Aside
Once cooked through and beautifully browned, transfer the chicken out of the skillet and set it aside. This rest period allows you to focus on crafting the sauce while the chicken stays warm and juicy.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the melted butter, sautéing for about one minute until fragrant and enticing. This quick step builds the flavorful foundation of the sauce without any bitterness.
Step 5: Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in the chicken broth and the optional white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer and let it reduce for around two minutes, thickening the sauce slightly and concentrating its flavor.
Step 6: Finish with Herbs and Lemon
Stir in fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, and basil into the sauce, infusing it with bright, fresh aromas and flavors. Then, return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, tossing everything together so the chicken is luxuriously coated with the vibrant garlic butter herb sauce.
Step 7: Serve
Plate the chicken generously over your favorite cooked pasta, spooning extra sauce over everything. This Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs Recipe truly shines when served hot and saucy, inviting every forkful to be a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil on top adds a pop of color and a touch of fresh, herbal brightness right before serving. A few lemon wedges on the side not only brighten the plate visually but offer an extra citrus zing for those who want to dial up the tang.
Side Dishes
Consider pairing this dish with a simple green salad tossed in light vinaigrette or garlic roasted vegetables to keep the meal balanced and refreshing. Crusty bread is also fantastic for mopping up every last drop of that delicious garlic butter sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant touch, try plating the chicken scampi over angel hair pasta twirled into neat nests, or serve it over creamy polenta or cauliflower rice for a low-carb spin. Individual skillet servings bring warmth and a rustic charm to the table that your guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs Recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Ensuring the sauce and chicken are properly covered helps retain moisture and flavor for your next meal.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to prepare in advance. Store leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator to maintain texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at medium power, stirring occasionally to avoid drying out the chicken. Adding a splash of chicken broth or water can help loosen the sauce and keep everything tender and delicious.
FAQs
Can I use other types of chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are preferred for their quick cooking and tenderness, you can also use chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful option. Just adjust cooking time accordingly.
Is the white wine necessary in the sauce?
White wine is optional but recommended as it adds a subtle acidity and complexity that complements the garlic and herbs beautifully. If you prefer not to use alcohol, simply omit it and add a bit more chicken broth for moisture.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to coat the chicken. This change will still give you a lovely crispy coating without gluten.
What kind of pasta works best with this Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs Recipe?
Traditional choices include linguine or spaghetti, as their long strands catch the sauce nicely. However, feel free to use any pasta you love, from penne to fettuccine, depending on what’s in your pantry.
How spicy is this dish with red pepper flakes?
The red pepper flakes add just a gentle heat that enhances the overall flavor profile without overwhelming the garlic butter sauce. You can always skip them if you prefer a milder version or adjust the amount to your taste.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly comforting and joyous about the Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs Recipe that makes it a standout in any meal rotation. Its balance of buttery richness and fresh herbal brightness is simply irresistible. I encourage you to try making it soon — it might just become your new go-to dinner when you want something quick, delicious, and utterly satisfying.
Print
Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 0h 35m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Scampi with Fresh Herbs is a delicious and quick skillet meal featuring tender chicken strips sautéed in a garlic-infused butter sauce with fresh parsley and basil. Enhanced with a splash of white wine and lemon juice, this dish is perfect served over your favorite cooked pasta for a comforting and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
For Serving
- Cooked pasta of your choice
Instructions
- Season and Coat Chicken: Season the chicken strips evenly with salt and black pepper. Dredge the chicken strips in all-purpose flour until well coated, shaking off any excess flour.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and sizzling. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Spices: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze and Simmer Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and dry white wine (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for approximately 2 minutes to allow the liquid to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavors.
- Finish Sauce with Herbs: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, and chopped basil to the skillet. Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and toss to coat them thoroughly in the garlic butter herb sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the chicken and sauce over your preferred cooked pasta, making sure to drizzle extra sauce on top for a rich and flavorful dish.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes according to your preference.
- If you prefer to avoid alcohol, omit the white wine and increase the chicken broth by 1/4 cup.
- Fresh herbs make a big difference—use fresh parsley and basil for optimal flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions to complement the sauce texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
