What's For Dinner?

Not sure what to make for dinner this week? Here is a recipe that you must try!! Almost every time I go to Olive Garden I order Chicken Scampi, it seriously is so so good! I recently found a recipe and it actually turned out really good! Dan and I loved it and Aiden couldn't get it in his mouth fast enough. :) You must try it. I found it here. I tweaked a few things as I was going of course. :) Recipes like these not only taste good, but as I am making it I feel like a real cook. haha. Try it and I would love to hear how it turns out!

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup flour
• salt and pepper
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 chopped yellow onion
• 2 tsp fresh or dried parsley
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 16 ounces angel hair pasta or spaghetti

Sauce Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp onion, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp of dried basil
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 tsp of dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp minced fresh or dried parsley
• 1 cup heavy cream

Preparation:

Start the Pasta:

1. Get some water boiling and cook the pasta until done while you are cooking chicken.

Make Scampi Sauce:

1. Using a medium sized pot over medium heat. Melt the butter, add the chopped onion and cook the onion begins to brown, about 2 to 4 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Don't let the garlic turn brown or it will taste bitter.
3. Add the chicken broth, crushed red pepper, salt, dried basil, dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Cook until the sauce has reduced to half, about 15 minutes
5. Add cream and 2 tsp minced parsley. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Don't let the mixture boil.
6. Take off heat and set aside.

Cook the Chicken:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Place the flour on a plate. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken pieces, then coat each side in the flour.
3. Place chicken in pan and cook on one side until golden brown. About 3 - 4 minutes.
4. When the chicken is brown on one side, turn over the pieces and move them to the side of the pan to continue cooking.
5. Add sliced bell peppers and red onion to the middle of the pan.
6. Continue cooking the chicken and veggies for 4-6 minutes, or until the vegetables are beginning to brown on the edges. You may need to take the chicken out before the onions and peppers are done.
7. Put the chicken back in the pan if you have taken it out.
8. Pour half the Scampi sauce over the ingredients in skillet. 
9. Add the cooked pasta to a pot and mix in the other half of the sauce. Put on medium heat to warm it up.
10. Prepare each persons plate by placing equal amounts of pasta onto each dish.
11. Use tongs to add peppers and onion on top of each portion of pasta.
12. Arrange equal amounts of chicken on top of pasta.
13. Sprinkle each plate with about 1/2 tsp minced parsley and grated parmesan cheese.