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Olive Garden chicken scampi with crispy chicken tenderloins over angel hair pasta in creamy garlic Parmesan sauce

Olive Garden Chicken Scampi

Crispy dredged chicken tenderloins served over angel hair pasta in a creamy garlic white wine Parmesan sauce with colorful sauteed bell peppers. A restaurant-quality copycat ready in 40 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 774

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins up to 2 lbs, patted dry with paper towels
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tsp salt for dredge mixture
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tbsp olive oil divided: 2 tbsp for chicken, 1 tbsp for vegetables
  • 1 lb angel hair pasta cooked al dente, 1 cup pasta water reserved before draining
  • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced, up to 5 cloves for bolder flavor
  • 0.5 cup dry white wine pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc recommended
  • 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated from a block, not pre-shredded
  • salt to taste
  • fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pasta pot
  • Shallow dredging bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. In a shallow bowl, combine flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Dredge each tenderloin in the seasoned flour and shake off the excess.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
  3. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair pasta 1 to 2 minutes less than package time. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  4. Wipe the skillet clean and heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Saute the red onion and bell peppers for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly softened. Add the butter and garlic and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the white wine and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until reduced by about half.
  6. Add the chicken broth and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream, stir well, and bring to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and gradually stir in the grated Parmesan until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt to taste.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time to adjust consistency. Plate in large bowls with the golden chicken on top. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

Notes

No wine? Substitute with extra chicken broth plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Always grate Parmesan fresh from a block for the smoothest sauce. Toss drained pasta with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking while the sauce finishes. Store components separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.