Description
This Chicken Scallopini recipe features tender, bite-sized chicken pieces simmered in a flavorful tomato and wine gravy sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. The dish combines caramelized onions, garlic, and Italian seasonings for a rich, comforting meal ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Gravy Mixture
- 1 packet brown gravy mix (0.87 oz)
- 1 cup cold water
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
- 1 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
Pasta
- 3/4 lb thin spaghetti (or slightly less for a saucier dish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Gravy Mixture: In a large measuring cup, combine the brown gravy mix with 1 cup of cold water. Stir in the tomato sauce and season with Italian seasoning, parsley, mustard powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep and Sear Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into equal-sized cubes. Season generously with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with flour and toss to coat each piece evenly. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken cubes for 3-4 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze the Pan: Turn off the heat briefly and pour in 1/4 cup of the white wine. Return the heat to medium and use a spatula to scrape and loosen the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet, which adds great flavor to the sauce.
- Cook Onions and Garlic: Add butter and the sliced onions to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes until the onions become soft and caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Add Wine and Reduce: Pour in the remaining white wine and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly, concentrating the flavors.
- Add Gravy Mixture and Simmer: Pour the prepared gravy mixture into the skillet. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Return the seared chicken to the pan and let it cook in the sauce until heated through and the flavors meld together.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet with the sauce, mixing thoroughly so the pasta is coated. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately alongside garlic bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Using dry white wine adds depth to the sauce, but you can substitute with chicken broth if preferred or to keep it alcohol-free.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken cubes during searing to keep them tender.
- Adjust seasoning at the end of cooking if needed, adding more salt or pepper to taste.
- For a saucier dish, use slightly less spaghetti than the amount listed.
- Caramelizing onions slowly develops sweetness and complexity in the sauce; don’t rush this step.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
