Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe Easy Homemade

Name: Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe Easy Homemade
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil of choice; 2 lbs chicken tenders or thinly sliced chicken breast or thighs; 1 cup flour; 2 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 lb angel hair pasta cooked al dente; 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil of choice; 1 red bell pepper sliced into thin strips; 1 yellow bell pepper sliced into thin strips; 1 green bell pepper sliced into thin strips; 1 red onion sliced into thin strips; 3 tablespoon butter; 5 cloves garlic minced; 1 ½ cup chicken broth store bought or homemade; ½ cup dry white wine or sub with chicken broth; ⅔ cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt or to taste; Parmesan cheese grated; Fresh basil finely chopped; Fresh parsley finely chopped

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You know that garlicky, buttery, impossibly creamy pasta dish you always order when someone suggests Olive Garden? The one with tender chicken and those little red pepper flakes that make everything feel a little fancy? That’s Olive Garden Chicken Scampi, and you can absolutely make it at home without a culinary degree or three hours to spare.

I cracked the code on this one back in 2019 after my daughter begged me to “make the restaurant pasta” for her birthday dinner. Turns out the magic isn’t complicatedit’s all about getting that garlic just toasty enough (not burned, learned that the hard way) and letting the butter and white wine do their thing. After testing this about a dozen times for the blog, I can promise you it tastes even better than the original.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Recipe

Making restaurant favorites at home always feels like unlocking a secret, and this one’s no exception. The sauce is rich and garlicky without being heavy, and those colorful bell peppers bring just enough sweetness to balance the butter and wine. Plus, it comes together in about 30 minutesfaster than waiting for a table on a Friday night.

Family-friendly: Even picky eaters go back for seconds when there’s crispy chicken and creamy pasta involved
Budget-smart: You’re feeding 6-8 people for a fraction of what takeout costs
Looks impressive: Those rainbow peppers make it feel fancy enough for company, but it’s weeknight-easy

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

OLIVE GARDEN CHICKEN SCAMPI centered hero view, clean and uncluttered

The beauty of this dish is that you probably have half of these ingredients already. The chicken tenders cook faster than sliced chicken breast, which is a lifesaver on busy nights. Angel hair pasta is traditional here because it soaks up that garlicky cream sauce like a dreamthough any long pasta works in a pinch.

The trio of bell peppers isn’t just for color (though they do make the plate Instagram-worthy). Each one brings a slightly different flavor, and the red onion adds a mild bite that mellows beautifully once it hits the pan. Don’t skip the white wine if you can help itit adds a subtle brightness that chicken broth alone can’t quite replicate.

Ingredient	Easy Swap
Chicken tenders	Thinly sliced chicken breast or thighs
Angel hair pasta	Linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti
Dry white wine	Extra chicken broth (add a squeeze of lemon)
Heavy cream	Half-and-half (sauce will be slightly thinner)
Fresh basil & parsley	1-2 tsp dried Italian herbs

How the Magic Happens

Start by getting that chicken golden and crispythe flour coating with Italian seasoning gives it restaurant-quality texture. Once the chicken’s done, you’ll use the same pan for the sauce, which means all those tasty browned bits become part of the flavor. Wiping the pan clean between steps keeps things from getting too dark or bitter.

While the veggies sauté, your pasta should be boiling away. The trick is cooking it just until al dente, because it’ll finish cooking in the sauce. I learned the hard way that mushy pasta ruins an otherwise perfect dishtrust the package directions and set a timer.

When you add the wine, give the pan a good scrape. That’s where the depth of flavor lives. The sauce will bubble and reduce, then turn silky once you stir in the cream. A splash of reserved pasta water at the end helps everything cling together like it does at the restaurant.

Quick Timing Breakdown

Step	Time
Coat and cook chicken	6-8 minutes
Boil pasta	3-5 minutes (while chicken cooks)
Sauté peppers and onion	3-4 minutes
Build sauce and combine	5-6 minutes
Total active time	20-25 minutes

Tips for Getting It Just Right

Don’t crowd the pan: If your skillet’s on the smaller side, cook the chicken in two batches. Crowding steams instead of crisps, and nobody wants soggy chicken.

Save that pasta water: I keep a measuring cup by the stove so I don’t forget. Just a few tablespoons can transform a sauce from greasy to glossy.

Taste before serving: Between the chicken broth, parmesan, and seasoned flour, saltiness can sneak up on you. I always do a quick taste test before plating and adjust if needed.

Serving and Storage

This is the kind of dinner that deserves to be served straight from the pan, piled high with extra parmesan and those fresh herbs on top. A simple green salad and some garlic bread turn it into a full Italian feast. Leftovers actually reheat beautifullyjust add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce in the microwave.

Storage Method	How Long It Lasts
Refrigerator (airtight container)	3-4 days
Freezer (portioned containers)	Up to 2 months
Reheating tip	Add 2-3 tbsp liquid, cover, stir halfway through

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How I Finally Nailed Olive Garden Chicken Scampi at Home

I burned the garlic three times before I figured out this Olive Garden Chicken Scampi recipe. The first attempt was so bitter my husband couldn’t even pretend to like it. But after adjusting the heat and timing, I finally cracked the code to that perfect, garlicky sauce we all crave.

FAQs ( Olive Garden Chicken Scampi )

What pasta works best for this recipe?

Angel hair pasta is the traditional choice as it absorbs the garlic butter sauce beautifully. Linguine or thin spaghetti work well too. Cook it al dente since it will continue cooking slightly when tossed with the hot sauce and chicken.

How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness before cooking and don’t overcook them. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest briefly before slicing, then add it back to the warm sauce just before serving.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

This meal is best served immediately for optimal texture. However, you can prep ingredients ahead – cook chicken and store separately, then reheat gently in the sauce. Add fresh pasta just before serving to prevent mushiness.

What wine should I use in the sauce?

Use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay – something you’d enjoy drinking. The wine reduces and concentrates, so avoid cooking wines. If you prefer non-alcoholic, substitute with chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice.

How much garlic should I really use?

Start with 4-6 fresh garlic cloves for authentic flavor, but adjust to your taste. Mince it finely and saute until fragrant but not brown – burnt garlic will make the sauce bitter. Fresh garlic makes all the difference over pre-minced.

You’ll love how this Olive Garden Chicken Scampi turns outcrispy chicken, silky garlic sauce, and pasta that soaks up every buttery bite in under 30 minutes. It smells like an Italian restaurant took over your kitchen in the best possible way. The kind of dinner that makes everyone quiet for the first few forkfuls, then ask for seconds.

Want to mix things up? Toss in some sun-dried tomatoes for tang, or swap the chicken for shrimp if you’re feeling fancy. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes makes it restaurant-spicy, and leftovers actually taste better the next day once the flavors have had time to get cozy together. Pro tip I learned from my mom: always keep that pasta water handyit’s liquid gold for bringing sauces back to life.

I’d love to hear if this becomes a regular in your dinner rotation, or if your family devours it as fast as mine does. Did you make any fun tweaks? Snap a photo and share itI’m always here cheering you on from my chaotic kitchen to yours. Save this one for a night when you need comfort food that actually delivers without the takeout guilt.