Olive Garden Chicken Scampi: An Irresistible Flavorful Favorite


Imagine enjoying a dish with garlic butter sauce, bell peppers, and chicken breasts all together. This is the olive garden chicken scampi. You can make it at home, saving over 54% of calories compared to Olive Garden’s version. One serving of the homemade recipe has 513 calories.

Exploring olive garden chicken scampi lets you create a tasty meal for busy nights. It takes only 30 minutes to prepare and cook. This dish is loved for its rich flavors and satisfying ingredients. By making it at home, you can customize it to your liking, using chicken tenders, angel hair pasta, and a special seasoning mix.

If you love Olive Garden’s chicken scampi or want to try a new recipe, this dish is perfect. It has creamy garlic sauce, tender chicken, and angel hair pasta. It’s a quick and satisfying meal. By following a simple recipe, you can enjoy it in your own home.


The Story Behind Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi

Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi is a favorite for its rich flavors and simple recipe. This easy chicken scampi recipe is a key dish on Olive Garden’s menu. It comes from classic Italian-American cuisine. To make the best chicken scampi, you need top-notch ingredients and a straightforward cooking method.

Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi is special because it mixes traditional Italian tastes with new ideas. It has chicken, garlic, bell peppers, and a creamy sauce, all on angel hair pasta. It’s ready in 10-15 minutes to prep and 20-25 minutes to cook, making it a quick and tasty meal.

1.Origins of the Classic Dish

The Chicken Scampi dish started in the United States as a hit Italian-American dish. Over time, it has changed with different restaurants and chefs adding their own touches.

2.How It Became an Olive Garden Favorite

Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi is loved for its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and tasty bell peppers. It’s also easy to make, making it a mainstay on Olive Garden’s menu.

3.What Makes It Special

Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi stands out because of its quality ingredients and special cooking method. The dish lets customers add their favorite ingredients or sauces, making it their own.


Essential Ingredients for Authentic Chicken Scampi

To make authentic olive garden chicken dishes, you need the right ingredients. For garlic butter chicken, the key components include chicken breasts, garlic, butter, bell peppers, and heavy cream. These ingredients come together to create a rich and flavorful sauce that complements the chicken perfectly.

When selecting ingredients, choose the freshest and highest-quality options available. For the chicken, opt for boneless, skinless breasts. Fresh garlic is also essential, as it adds a depth of flavor that cannot be replicated with powdered or jarred alternatives. Fresh bell peppers add a crunchy texture and a bit of sweetness to balance out the savory flavors.

Here are the essential ingredients you’ll need:

  • 1 pound chicken breasts
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 cup of heavy cream
  • 1 cup of bell peppers, sliced

With these ingredients, you can create a delicious and authentic olive garden chicken scampi dish that is sure to impress. The combination of garlic butter chicken and fresh vegetables makes for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.


The Perfect Garlic Butter Sauce

To make a delicious chicken scampi recipe, you need a perfect garlic butter sauce. This sauce is key to the dish’s success. It’s made with garlic, butter, and heavy cream, giving it a rich, creamy texture.

For the best garlic butter sauce, use top-notch ingredients. Cook it slowly over low heat. This prevents burning and ensures a smooth texture. Adding white wine can enhance flavor and balance the richness.

  • Use high-quality ingredients, such as fresh garlic and real butter.
  • Cook the sauce slowly over low heat to prevent it from burning or separating.
  • Add some white wine to the sauce to give it flavor and to balance out the richness of the butter and cream.
  • Use a mixture of garlic and lemon juice to give the sauce a bright and citrusy flavor.

By following these tips, you can make a delicious garlic butter sauce. It will take your chicken scampi recipe to the next level. Whether it’s an olive garden copycat or your own version, the sauce is essential for a special meal.


Step-by-Step Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe

To make the best chicken scampi, follow a few simple steps. This recipe takes just 25 minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for a quick, tasty meal. You’ll prepare the chicken, make the sauce, cook the pasta, and then put it all together.

The recipe serves 8 people. You’ll need 4 boneless chicken breasts, thinly sliced. Also, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, and 1 cup of breadcrumbs. The sauce includes 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 cup of white wine, and 3/4 cup of heavy cream.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved in making this best chicken scampi recipe:

  • Prepare the chicken by browning it in olive oil until golden.
  • Create the signature sauce by reducing the white wine and mixing it with garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.
  • Cook the pasta, typically angel hair pasta, according to the package instructions.
  • Assemble the dish by combining the cooked chicken, pasta, and sauce.

With these simple steps, you can create a delicious and easy chicken scampi dish. The cost of one portion at Olive Garden is $17.50. But you can make 4 servings at home for the same price. So, why not try this recipe and enjoy a tasty meal at a fraction of the cost?


Secret Tips from Professional Chefs

Professional chefs have secrets for the perfect italian chicken scampi. They say using fresh shrimp and real parmesan cheese is key. These ingredients make a huge difference in taste and texture.

Cooking pasta al dente is another important tip. This means the pasta should still have some bite. To do this, cook it for 2-3 minutes, then save 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Here are more tips from chefs:

  • Use 4 tablespoons of butter for cooking shrimp and sauce. This adds richness and flavor.
  • Cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes on each side. They should just start to curl.
  • Reduce white wine for 5-8 minutes. This makes the sauce thick and flavorful.

By following these tips and using top-notch ingredients, you can make an olive garden recipes style italian chicken scampi. It will impress everyone at your table.

IngredientQuantity
Shrimp16/20 per pound
Butter4 tablespoons
White wine5-8 minutes reduction

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Chicken Scampi

Trying to make the olive garden copycat chicken scampi recipe can be tricky. One big mistake is not controlling the temperature right. This can make the ingredients either too cooked or not cooked enough.

Another mistake is getting the sauce wrong. If it’s too thin or too thick, it changes the taste and feel of the dish. Also, timing is key. You need to make sure everything is ready at the same time.

To avoid these mistakes, here are some tips:

  • Keep an eye on the heat to avoid burning or undercooking.
  • Fix the sauce by adding more liquid or less butter.
  • Plan your cooking steps carefully, considering each ingredient’s prep and cooking time.

By watching out for these common mistakes and fixing them, you can make a tasty chicken scampi dish. It will be just as good as the olive garden copycat recipe.

MistakeSolution
Temperature control issuesMonitor heat closely
Sauce consistency problemsAdjust sauce consistency
Timing challengesPlan cooking process carefully

Customizing Your Chicken Scampi

Customizing your meal is key to making it special. With garlic butter chicken as a base, you can add your own twist. Try adding red onion, bell peppers, or Italian seasoning for a unique flavor.

Here are some ways to elevate your chicken scampi:

  • Adding a splash of heavy cream for a richer sauce
  • Using thyme or other herbs to complement the garlic butter flavor
  • Throwing in some capers for a salty, tangy taste

Customizing your chicken scampi is all about trying new things. You can mix and match ingredients to find the perfect flavor. Whether you like it classic or bold, you can make it your own.

By being creative, you can turn a simple recipe into a memorable lunch dish. So, don’t be shy to try new things and make your chicken scampi unforgettable.

IngredientQuantity
Chicken tenderloins1½ lb
Unsalted butter4 tablespoons
Garlic cloves4 cloves, minced
Dry white wine¾ cup

Perfect Pairing Suggestions

Enjoying olive garden recipes, like italian chicken scampi, is better with the right pairings. These suggestions will help bring out the dish’s rich flavors.

A glass of wine is a great match. Try Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay. For sides, a simple green salad or roasted veggies balance the dish’s richness.

For bread, Olive Garden’s breadsticks are a classic pick. But, you can also go for a crusty Italian bread or garlic bread. Here are some pairing options:

Pairing OptionDescription
WinePinot Grigio or Chardonnay
Side DishGreen salad or roasted vegetables
BreadItalian bread or garlic bread

Choosing the right pairings makes olive garden recipes, like italian chicken scampi, even better. It creates a memorable dining experience.


Storage and Reheating Guidelines

Storing and reheating your chicken scampi recipe right is key to keeping it tasty. To store your olive garden copycat chicken scampi, put it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat, use the oven or stovetop. For the oven, preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken scampi in a covered, oven-safe dish for 10-15 minutes. Or, reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring until it’s warm, which takes about 1-3 minutes.

Here are some extra tips for storing and reheating:

  • Store cooked chicken scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat cooked chicken scampi in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
  • Reheat cooked chicken scampi on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring until warmed through.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy your chicken scampi recipe, inspired by the olive garden copycat, for a longer time. It will still taste great and be of high quality.

Storage MethodDuration
RefrigeratorUp to 4 days
FreezerUp to 3 months

We are delighted to share this olive garden chicken scampi recipe  with you, with the hope it becomes a favorite in your routine.


Conclusion: Mastering Your Homemade Olive Garden Experience

Learning to make Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi at home takes time and effort. By following the steps and tips in this article, you’re on your way. The secret to the real Olive Garden taste is in the ingredients, technique, and care in every step.

Even if your first tries don’t match the restaurant’s, don’t give up. With each attempt, you’ll get better at balancing flavors and textures. Keep trying, tweaking the recipe to your liking, and add your own twist to this easy chicken scampi recipe.

Share your homemade Olive Garden Chicken Scampi with loved ones. Invite them to help in the kitchen, teaching them the secrets. This way, you’ll make memories and enjoy delicious meals together. Bon appétit!


Frequently Asked Questions

What is Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi?

Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi is a favorite Italian-American dish. It has tender chicken in a rich, buttery garlic sauce.

What are the origins of Chicken Scampi?

Chicken Scampi comes from traditional Italian cuisine. It’s a big hit on the Olive Garden menu, loved by many.

What makes Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi special?

The dish is special because of its tender chicken and garlic butter sauce. The flavors all come together perfectly.

What are the essential ingredients for authentic Chicken Scampi?

For real Chicken Scampi, you need top-quality chicken, butter, garlic, white wine, and fresh herbs.

How do you make the perfect garlic butter sauce for Chicken Scampi?

Making the garlic butter sauce right is key. You need to balance the flavors and get the consistency just right. Choosing the right wine is also important.

What are some secret tips from professional chefs to make the best Chicken Scampi?

Chefs say to use the freshest ingredients and cook pasta al dente. Paying attention to temperature and timing is also crucial.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when making Chicken Scampi?

Mistakes include not controlling the temperature, sauce issues, and timing problems. Knowing how to fix these can make your Chicken Scampi perfect.

How can I customize Chicken Scampi to suit my personal taste?

You can make Chicken Scampi your own by adding different veggies, using other proteins, and trying new ways to make it exciting.

What are the best pairings for Chicken Scampi?

The best pairings for Chicken Scampi are wines, side dishes, and bread that complement its flavors.

How do I properly store and reheat Chicken Scampi?

To keep Chicken Scampi tasting great, follow the right storage and reheating steps. This includes using the right methods and techniques.


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