Claire Thompson
Olive Garden's Chicken Scampi is a popular Italian-American dish. It is made with chicken tenders, bell peppers, onions, and a creamy garlic white wine sauce. The wine used in the recipe is typically a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Blanc, although Chardonnay is also an option. The chicken is coated in flour and pan-fried, then served on top of angel hair pasta with the creamy sauce. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or impressing guests and can be made in under an hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of wine | Dry white wine |
| Wine varieties | Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay |
| Alcohol-free alternative | Chicken broth |
| Wine quantity | 2 tablespoons |
| Wine's role in the recipe | Used to deglaze the pan for the pasta sauce |
| Other ingredients | Chicken tenders, angel hair pasta, bell peppers, red onions, olive oil, butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, flour, salt, black pepper, milk, parmesan cheese, heavy cream, parsley |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Scampi's white wine sauce
Chicken Scampi is a popular Italian-American dish, and the Olive Garden version is a favourite for many. The scampi sauce is typically made with white wine, which adds a bright, buttery flavour to the dish. The wine is added to the pan to deglaze it, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. It is then allowed to reduce by half before adding the other ingredients.
While a dry white wine is typically used for this recipe, you can also use chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice for a similar depth of flavour. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Blanc are all excellent choices for the dry white wine. However, it is important to note that cooking wine should be avoided due to its added salt and preservatives, which can impact the final flavour of the dish.
To make the chicken scampi, start by coating chicken tenders or thinly sliced chicken breasts with seasoned flour and pan-frying them until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Allow the wine to reduce by half, then add the other ingredients, such as olive oil, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, then remove from the heat.
Finally, melt butter in the skillet and add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Whisk until fully blended and blended. Serve the chicken scampi with the creamy garlic white wine sauce over angel hair pasta, garnished with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or impressing guests, bringing restaurant-quality food to the comfort of your own kitchen.
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Non-alcoholic substitutes for white wine
The Chicken Scampi at Olive Garden is a popular pasta dish with creamy sauce, colourful bell peppers, red onions, and crispy chicken tenders. The recipe includes white wine, but non-alcoholic substitutes can be used instead.
One option is to use chicken broth or stock, which can add savoury depth to the dish. Chicken broth can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio, and its low-sodium content can help balance salt intake. To maintain the acidity of the wine, a tablespoon of vinegar can be added to the broth. Apple cider vinegar is a good option, as it has similar levels of acidity to white wine, and its tangy flavour can mimic the qualities of white wine. It can be diluted with water to avoid an overly sour dish.
Another option is to use white grape juice, which provides a similar acidity and a touch of sweetness. It should not be too sweet or diluted, but it can be diluted slightly with water if needed. A touch of white vinegar can also be added to enhance the flavour and round it out to be more similar to wine.
Ginger ale can also be used as a substitute for white wine due to its similar appearance and acidity. It can be substituted at a 1:1 ratio, and its sweetness and dry taste make it a good meat tenderizer. However, it should only be used in recipes that will work well with a slight ginger flavour.
Non-alcoholic wine is another option, as it offers a close flavour profile to real white wine. It is important to choose a high-quality NA wine that tastes good enough to drink, as added sugars can affect the flavour.
These substitutes can be used to create a delicious and alcohol-free version of Olive Garden's Chicken Scampi.
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Chicken Scampi's other ingredients
Chicken scampi is a popular dish at Olive Garden, and it can be easily recreated at home. The dish consists of a few key ingredients that come together to create a delicious, creamy, and garlicky flavour. Here are the ingredients that make up this tasty dish:
Chicken
The star of the dish, chicken, is prepared in a few different ways. Firstly, chicken tenders or tenderloins are commonly used, as they are easy to cook and provide a good texture. These are coated in a flour and Italian seasoning mixture, and sometimes dipped in milk before being pan-fried until golden brown. Alternatively, chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs can be thinly sliced and used, providing a similar juicy result.
Pasta
Angel hair pasta is the traditional choice for this dish, as scampi is typically served with this type of pasta. It is thin, cooks quickly, and complements the other ingredients without overwhelming the dish. However, other types of pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or fettucine can also be used based on personal preference.
Vegetables
Bell peppers and red onions are the most commonly used vegetables in chicken scampi. The bell peppers add a pop of colour and a slight crunch, and can be red, yellow, green, or a combination thereof. The red onions provide a bright colour and a mild flavour. Other vegetables such as mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or orange bell peppers can also be added for variety.
Sauce
The sauce is a key component of chicken scampi, and it is made with a combination of butter, olive oil, garlic, white wine or broth, lemon juice, parsley, and sometimes cream. The wine used is typically a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or Pinot Grigio, as it adds a bright, buttery flavour to the sauce. This sauce is cooked and reduced in the pan, creating a rich, creamy, and garlicky flavour that coats the pasta and chicken.
Cheese and Seasonings
Parmesan cheese is a key ingredient, adding a salty, savoury note to the dish. Fresh herbs such as parsley are also used for garnish and additional flavour. Salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning are used to season the chicken and vegetables, enhancing the overall flavour profile.
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Pairing wine with Chicken Scampi
Chicken scampi is a popular dish at Olive Garden, featuring chicken tenders coated in seasoned flour and pan-fried to perfection. The chicken is served on a bed of angel hair pasta, coated in a creamy garlic white wine sauce, and accompanied by colourful bell peppers and red onions. Recreating this dish at home allows for experimentation with different types of wine to elevate the dining experience.
When it comes to pairing wine with chicken scampi, a dry white wine is generally recommended. White wine is a versatile choice that complements the dish's creamy sauce and enhances the flavour of the chicken. A dry variety specifically adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish. Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Blanc are all excellent options that will elevate the dining experience. These wines offer a crisp and refreshing profile that pairs well with the dish's creamy sauce and tender chicken.
Chardonnay is another popular choice for pairing with chicken scampi. It has a fuller body and a smoother profile, making it a versatile option for food pairings. While Chardonnay can be used in the recipe, some may find it less ideal due to its oaky and buttery notes, which may overpower the dish's more delicate flavours. However, when enjoyed as an accompanying drink, Chardonnay's smooth and rounded characteristics can beautifully complement the overall dining experience.
When selecting a wine to pair with chicken scampi, it is essential to consider the specific ingredients and flavours in the dish. The creamy sauce, garlic, and herbs call for a wine that will complement these flavours without overwhelming them. A dry white wine's crisp and refreshing profile achieves this balance, providing a pleasant contrast to the richness of the dish.
Additionally, the side dishes served with chicken scampi can influence the wine selection. Simple vegetable sides like roasted asparagus or sautéed broccoli, or a light salad, call for a refreshing white wine that won't overpower their delicate flavours. Bread, on the other hand, can be a wonderful companion to a heartier wine like Chardonnay, providing a more indulgent dining experience.
In conclusion, when pairing wine with chicken scampi, a dry white wine is the ideal choice. Its crisp and refreshing profile beautifully complements the creamy sauce and enhances the flavour of the chicken. Among the various options, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Blanc are particularly recommended for a delightful dining experience that showcases the best of Olive Garden's chicken scampi.
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Copycat recipes for Chicken Scampi
Chicken Scampi is a popular pasta dish from Olive Garden. It consists of chicken tenders coated in seasoned flour and pan-fried, served on top of angel hair pasta coated in a creamy sauce. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- 8 oz of angel hair pasta
- 24 oz of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp of kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp of black pepper
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp of butter
- 3-6 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/4-1/2 cup of dry white wine ( Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Blanc) or chicken broth
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2-3 bell peppers, thinly sliced (any combination of red, yellow, green, or orange)
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream
- Fresh herbs (parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, or basil)
- Parmesan cheese
- Lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
- Cut the chicken into small cubes and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add olive oil to the skillet.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 2-6 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Melt the butter in the skillet. Add the garlic and saute for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the white wine to the skillet and deglaze the pan.
- Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Add the bell peppers, onion, and saute for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, lemon juice (if using), and remaining garlic. Pour this mixture into the skillet and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Serve the pasta with the chicken on top, garnished with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese.
Tips
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and a measure-for-measure all-purpose flour substitute.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- To make the dish more colourful, add cherry tomatoes or mushrooms.
- For extra spice, add crushed red pepper flakes.
- Chicken Scampi pairs well with simple vegetable sides like roasted asparagus and sauteed broccoli, or a light salad like arugula salad or green goddess salad.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Olive Garden's chicken scampi contains white wine. It is used to deglaze the pan for the pasta sauce and gives the sauce a bright, buttery flavor.
A dry white wine is typically used in the recipe. Examples include Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Blanc.
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version of the dish by substituting the wine with chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice.
