Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi

I’ve been going to Olive Garden for at least 25 years and this Olive Garden Chicken Scampi has always been a favorite! My go-to order is either the salad or the pasta fagioli to start and then Chicken Scampi for my entree – always Chicken Scampi! 

This copycat Olive Garden chicken scampi recipe is simple too! The juicy chicken is lightly breaded and it’s a dish full of red onions, bell peppers and garlic – all on top of angel hair pasta and a delicate creamy garlic white sauce. It’s comfort in a bowl! I love it! 

Ingredients for Chicken Scampi

• 6 THIN cut boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• salt and black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp butter
• 6 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp Italian seasoning blend
• 1/2 orange, 1/2 yellow, 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced – you can also use green peppers if you like – I just like the others better
• 1/2 medium red onion, sliced
• 1/2 small lemon, juice & zest
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 mini-bottle Sutter Home white wine (187 ml – approx 3/4 cup) 
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 12 oz. angel hair
• OPTIONAL: if you want a little spice, sprinkle in red pepper flakes

Can you make Scampi sauce without wine? 

One of my favorite things about this chicken scampi pasta is the creamy sauce! It’s much lighter than an alfredo sauce. Also – I’m not a wine drinker – so I actually bought a four-pack of those mini-bottles of wine and used one for this white wine sauce. You can use pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc – any light white wine will do. But yes – if you want to make this without wine just substitute chicken broth – it still tastes delicious! 

How do you make Olive Garden Chicken Scampi at home?

Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi is definitely a very popular dish from Olive Garden and I’ll continue to order it – but I’ll have this pasta dish a lot more often now that I can make it at home! Here’s how to make this delicious creamy wine sauce has so much flavor and lots of veggies & garlic!

1. Boil pasta until al dente (2-3 minutes)
2. Cut peppers and onion and separate head of garlic into individual cloves
3. If chicken tenders aren’t thin, lay them between pieces of parchment paper and pound them to an even thickness (1/4-1/2″)
4. Place flour in a shallow dish and season with 1 Tbsp Salt and 1 Tbsp pepper and stir
5. Dredge chicken breast in flour (discard excess flour)
6. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in large skillet.
7. Place chicken in hot skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes. Flip and cook for 2-4 more minutes. Remove to a plate.
8. The best way is to just loosely cover with aluminum foil
9. Add 4 tablespoons butter to skillet and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan (all the flavor!).
10. Add peppers and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Saute peppers for about 5 minutes. Add to plate with chicken.
11. Add cream, wine, broth, garlic cloves, lemon zest & juice. Bring to a simmer and lower to medium heat.
12. As it simmers and reduces – add cheese – grate right into pan a few tablespoons at a time and whisk into sauce.
13. Cook down to about 1/2 the volume and whisk in remainder of cheese. Taste it – see how you like it!
14. Add chicken, veggies and pasta tossing to coat well. Garnish with coarse sea salt and fresh parsley

How do you store and reheat leftovers?

The pasta dish makes enough for 2-3 people. I make it for myself all the time and always have leftovers. If you do to – store in an airtight container and refrigerate up to a week – or freeze up to three months. Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

Other Delicious Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

This family favorite isn’t the only delicious Olive Garden Recipe I have – here’s a few more favorites:

• Copycat Olive Garden Salad & Dressing
• Copycat Olive Garden Giant Stuffed Shells
• Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi

More yummy chicken & pasta recipes

• Copycat Cheesecake Factory Chicken Costoletta
• Copycat Cheesecake Factory Chicken & Broccoli Pasta
• Olive Garden Italian Dressing Chicken Pasta