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Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi (Better Than the Restaurant)

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Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Recipe: Creamy Comfort in Every Bite

Scampi to It — This Pasta’s Got Panache

If you’ve ever dreamed of twirling your fork through Olive Garden’s Chicken Scampi without leaving your house, you’re in luck. This recipe doesn’t require a passport, a reservation, or a culinary degree — just a skillet, a splash of wine, and a craving for creamy, peppery pasta perfection. It’s a saucy little number that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum flair.

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi served over pasta with sautéed bell peppers and golden pan-seared chicken tenders.
Creamy copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi served with sautéed bell peppers and pasta.

Why This Chicken Scampi Recipe Is a Weeknight Winner

  • Restaurant Taste Without the Trip: Recreate Olive Garden’s signature flavors at home.
  • Quick Dinner Material: Ready in under an hour.
  • Customizable Comfort: Swap vegetables or pasta shapes easily.
  • Family-Friendly Flavor: Creamy, savory, and kid-approved.

Chicken Scampi Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or milk)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 pound cooked pasta
  • 3/4 cup white wine
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

How to Make Chicken Scampi (Step-by-Step)

1. Coat the Chicken

  • Mix flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
  • Pour cream or milk into a separate bowl.
  • Dip chicken in flour, then cream, then flour again.
  • Let rest for 10 minutes to help the coating adhere.

2. Sauté the Vegetables

  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add bell peppers, onion, and garlic.
  • Cook until softened and lightly caramelized.
  • Remove vegetables from the skillet and set aside.

3. Cook the Chicken

  • Add remaining olive oil to the skillet.
  • Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  • Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm.

4. Make the Scampi Sauce

  • Deglaze skillet with white wine, scraping up browned bits.
  • Stir in heavy cream and Italian seasoning.
  • Return vegetables and simmer until slightly thickened.

5. Combine and Serve

  • Toss cooked pasta in the sauce.
  • Top with chicken tenders.
  • Serve immediately.

Expert Tips

  • Wine Substitute: Replace wine with chicken broth if preferred.
  • Make It Creamier: Finish the sauce with a small pat of butter.
  • Thicker Sauce: Simmer longer for a richer consistency.

Variations

  • Vegetarian: Replace chicken with mushrooms and zucchini.
  • Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Pasta Options: Try linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with garlic bread or a simple green salad.
  • Finish with grated Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon.
  • Pairs well with chilled white wine or sparkling citrus water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead? Yes. Store chicken and sauce separately; reheat and toss with fresh pasta.

Can I freeze this dish? Freeze chicken and vegetables; make fresh sauce when reheating for best texture.

Can I use chicken breasts or thighs? Yes. Slice into strips for even cooking.

More Creamy Pasta Recipes

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Final Thoughts: Scampi-dly Delicious

This copycat Chicken Scampi recipe delivers all the creamy, peppery goodness of Olive Garden with none of the wait. Easy enough for a weeknight, special enough for guests, and endlessly customizable.

A bowl of creamy Chicken Scampi pasta topped with golden chicken tenders and sautéed bell peppers, styled in a rustic Italian kitchen with warm lighting and cozy ambiance.

Olive Garden's Chicken Scampi Recipe

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Discover how to make a delicious copycat Olive Garden's Chicken Scampi recipe at home! This creamy pasta dish with pan-seared chicken and colorful bell peppers is perfect for weeknight dinners. Easy, flavorful, and customizable — try it with linguine, fettuccine, or your favorite pasta. Originally published in 2013 and updated in 2025 to include fresh tips and ingredient tweaks.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or milk)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 medium-sized red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 pound pasta, cooked according to package directions
  • 3/4 cup white wine
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasonings

Instructions

  1. 1. Prepare the Chicken In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper. In another shallow dish, pour in the heavy cream (or milk). Dredge the chicken tenders in the flour mixture, then dip them into the cream, and dredge again in flour. Let rest 10 minutes.
  2. 2. Sauté the Vegetables Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bell peppers, red onion, and garlic, seasoning lightly with salt. Sauté until they start to brown, then remove from the pan.
  3. 3. Cook the Chicken Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Once hot, add the chicken and cook 5–7 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  4. 4. Create the Sauce Deglaze the pan with white wine and Italian seasoning, scraping browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and return vegetables to the pan.
  5. 5. Combine and Serve Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, mixing well. Top with chicken and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Customize the Vegetables: Add zucchini or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Wine Choice: A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works best for deglazing.
  • Pasta Options: Linguine or fettuccine works beautifully instead of standard pasta.
  • Internal Links: Check out our Creamy Alfredo Pasta recipe for a similar crowd-pleaser.
    • Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1110Total Fat: 57gSaturated Fat: 30gUnsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 226mgSodium: 601mgCarbohydrates: 94gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 44g

    The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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    © Julee
    Cuisine: Italian / Category: Pasta

    Originally published in 2013. Updated in 2025 with new photos, streamlined steps, and helpful variations.

    About Julee Morrison

    Julee Morrison is an author and writer with over 35 years of experience in parenting and family recipes. She’s the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook.Available on Amazon,

    Her work has appeared in The LA Times, Disney’s Family Fun Magazine, Bon Appétit, Weight Watchers Magazine, All You, Scholastic Parent & Child, and more.

    Her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" appeared on AP News, and her parenting piece “The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit” was featured on PopSugar.

    Outside of writing, Julee enjoys baking, reading, collecting crystals, and spending time with her family. You can find more of her work at Mommy’s Memorandum.

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