Chicken Scallopini with Tomato Sauce and Garlic Spaghetti Recipe
Chicken Scallopini is a flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breast cubes seared to golden perfection and simmered in a rich, savory brown gravy sauce with tomato and white wine. Served over al dente thin spaghetti, this meal balances robust flavors from caramelized onions, garlic, and Italian herbs, making it a comforting yet elegant dinner option.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
For the Sauce and Chicken
- 1 packet Brown Gravy Mix (0.87 oz) (or homemade brown gravy)
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Pasta
- 3/4 lb thin spaghetti (or less for saucier pasta)
- Prepare the Gravy Mixture: In a large measuring cup with a spout, combine the brown gravy mix with 1 cup of cold water until well blended. Stir in the tomato sauce and all the seasonings (Italian seasoning, parsley, mustard powder, and salt). Set this mixture aside to infuse flavors.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into evenly sized cubes. Season them with salt and pepper, then sprinkle the flour over the cubes and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and sear for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to brown on one side. Toss and continue cooking on all sides for about 3 more minutes until fully cooked and golden. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze the Pan: Turn the heat off momentarily, pour 1/4 cup of white wine into the skillet, and then turn the heat back to medium. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen any browned bits stuck to the bottom and sides of the skillet to enhance the sauce’s flavor.
- Sauté Onions and Butter: Add the butter and sliced onions to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the onions are very soft and nearly caramelized, about 20 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Reduce Wine: Pour in the remaining wine and allow it to bubble gently, reducing for 5 minutes to concentrate the flavor.
- Incorporate Gravy Sauce and Chicken: Add the prepared gravy mixture from step 1 into the skillet. Bring it to a boil and let it thicken for about 30 seconds, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and partially cover.
- Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add approximately 1/4 tablespoon of salt, then cook the spaghetti until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Garnish with additional parsley if desired and serve hot, ideally accompanied by garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the white wine with chicken broth if preferred.
- For a thicker or saucier pasta, reduce the amount of spaghetti slightly.
- Using homemade brown gravy mix adds a fresher taste compared to store-bought packets.
- Make sure to cook the onions low and slow to achieve a near caramelized softness that enhances the sauce flavor.
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Keywords: Chicken Scallopini, Italian chicken recipe, chicken pasta, brown gravy chicken, skillet chicken, dinner recipe, easy chicken recipe