Olive Garden Chicken Scampi brings together everything you love about the classic Olive Garden favorite — tender pan-seared chicken, colorful sautéed peppers and onions, and a rich garlic-wine sauce — all tossed with delicate angel hair pasta for a comforting yet vibrant dinner you can make at home.
It’s one of those meals that feels perfect year-round. Light enough for warmer days, but cozy enough when you want something comforting in the evening. For me, this dish always feels like a little celebration — it’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary weeknight into something special without requiring hours in the kitchen.
The chicken is lightly coated in seasoned flour and seared until golden, locking in moisture and flavor. The vegetables cook in the same pan, soaking up every bit of goodness left behind, before everything comes together in a silky garlic scampi sauce finished with parmesan. The result? A colorful, restaurant-style pasta that looks impressive, tastes indulgent, and is surprisingly simple to make.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant flavor at home: All the bold, buttery scampi flavors you love — without the restaurant price tag.
- Perfect balance: Tender chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and silky angel hair pasta in every bite.
- One skillet magic: Everything comes together in one pan for easy cooking and cleanup.
- Family-friendly: Mild, comforting flavors that everyone at the table will enjoy.
- Customizable: Swap proteins or pasta shapes to suit your preferences.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders – Lean, tender, and quick-cooking. Boneless skinless thighs or turkey work beautifully too.
- Flour & Italian Seasoning – Lightly coat the chicken for a golden crust and extra flavor.
- Olive Oil & Butter – Create a rich base for searing and building the sauce.
- Bell Peppers & Red Onion – Add color, sweetness, and a slight crunch that balances the creamy sauce.
- Garlic – The heart of any good scampi dish, bringing bold aroma and depth.
- Chicken Broth & White Wine – Form the backbone of the scampi sauce, adding savory richness and brightness.
- Heavy Cream & Parmesan – Finish the sauce with creamy texture and salty, nutty flavor.
- Angel Hair Pasta – Light and delicate, perfect for soaking up the sauce.
- Fresh Parsley – Adds freshness and a final pop of color.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Protein swap – Use chicken thighs, turkey cutlets, or even shrimp.
- No wine option – Replace wine with additional chicken broth and a squeeze of lemon.
- Different pasta – Spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine all work well.
- Extra veggies – Mushrooms or zucchini make great additions.
- Spicy kick – Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
This recipe hasn’t been tested with all substitutions. If you try one, share how it turned out!
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken tenders until evenly coated, shaking off any excess.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add bell peppers and red onion. Season lightly and sauté for 4–5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Cook angel hair pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 5: Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chicken broth, white wine, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle boil, then whisk in parmesan until smooth. Add pasta and vegetables to the sauce and toss gently.
Step 6: Using tongs, transfer the pasta and vegetables to serving plates or bowls. Arrange the chicken pieces neatly on top for an attractive presentation. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra grated parmesan cheese, then serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Sear chicken in batches if needed for even browning.
- Use freshly grated parmesan: It melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Cook pasta just to al dente: Angel hair cooks fast and softens more in the sauce.
- Season in layers: Light seasoning at each step builds deeper flavor.
- Serve right away: This dish is best enjoyed fresh while the sauce is silky.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
It’s best served fresh, but leftovers reheat well for a few days.
Can I freeze it?
The chicken freezes well, but the pasta and cream sauce do not freeze nicely.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter, omit the cream, and finish with extra broth and olive oil.
Is this healthier than Olive Garden?
Yes — this version has less than half the calories of the restaurant dish.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Warm gently in the oven or microwave until heated through.
📖 Recipe
Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Pot for pasta
- Tongs
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ pound angel hair pasta
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 1 red onion sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season flour with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken evenly.
- Heat olive oil in skillet and sear chicken until golden; remove.
- Sauté peppers and onion in the same skillet; remove.
- Cook pasta until al dente; drain.
- Melt butter, sauté garlic, add broth, wine, and cream. Whisk in parmesan.
- Toss pasta and vegetables in sauce, top with chicken, garnish, and serve.
Notes
- Angel hair pasta is traditional, but any pasta works well.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs or turkey are great substitutes.
- This homemade version contains less than half the calories of Olive Garden’s.
Sophia’s Top Tip
- Let the skillet work for you — cooking everything in the same pan builds layers of flavor you simply can’t get by washing it out between steps.
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