Chicken Scampi Pasta

Like every other mom out there I love it when I find quick, easy dishes to prepare for the family. And this is one of my family's favorites, Chicken Scampi Pasta. We are a pasta loving family around here; we have it at least once a week in some form.

This Scampi is really simple to make and full of flavor too; you can easily swap out the chicken for shrimp and make it a date night meal. I have even thrown in some spinach to sneak some veggies into the kids. That's one of the things I love about pasta dishes, you can throw pretty much anything together with it and will be good.


 

 
Chicken Scampi Pasta


 
1lb chicken tenderloin (you can also use breast, but tenderloins are usually less expensive)

1 tsp italian seasoning

1tsp dried oregano

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp lemon pepper

½ tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 stick of butter, divided in half

2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 large or 2 small lemons

2tbsp parsley fresh or dried

1lb of your favorite pasta (I used spaghetti)


 
Cook pasta according to package instructions.



While pasta is cooking dice chicken tenderloins into small chunks, and season with spices.



Place butter and olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. When butter has melted add chicken and sauté until brown.



Add the remaining butter and garlic and cook until fragrant. Slice the lemons and squeeze cut side up in the pan.



Drain pasta reserving about ½ cup of pasta liquid. Add some of the pasta water to loosen sauce.



Place drained pasta in serving bowl and add chicken. Sprinkle with parsley and cheese (if you like).

 


I hope you enjoy my version of chicken scampi as much as my family does. Be blessed and enjoy.


 

 

 

Pinho's Bakery- My First Job

As you all know I love baking, that's what my blog is about after all (with a little cooking thrown in). So you shouldn't be too surprised that my first job was at a bakery. It wasn't a job that I went looking for, I got it quite by accident. I would make my to the bakery EVERYDAY after school and get lunch (because school lunch was gross).

 One morning I went in with my dad to get some doughnuts for my mom's salon, and Julie (the owner) told my dad that when I was old enough I was going to work for her. A few weeks later after my 14th birthday I was a Pinho's girl (that's what they called us at school). I loved it there; I got to make my own money, buy my own school clothes, and best of all sample all the yummy goodness of Pinho's. Pinho's is a Portuguese bakery, and allowed me to learn to appreciate all kinds of pastries and bread.

That is definitely where I started to love baking and food in general. I worked there for 2 years until my mom moved to Virginia. But, every time I get to go back I always make my way their to see Julie and the family. I miss them so much that for my first born's baby shower I had a Julie make my shower cake, and my BFF brought it down. Now that is some serious love. So if you are ever in the Northern New Jersey area, stop in Roselle and go to Pinho's Bakery . You won't be sorry you did. Be blessed.