This quick and easy recipe for Chicken Scampi for One makes a big portion of this favorite lemony, garlicky pasta.
When I first started writing Sarah's Cucina Bella, my oldest child was three months old. This blog has chronicled my cooking and shared my recipes through his early childhood, the addition of my second child, preschool, grade school, high school, so many sports practices and games and meets, a dance career, theatre activities, science competitions, having one kid in college and now ... having both in college. What a remarkable thing to have this record of my entire parenting journey told through food.
That brings me to this recipe. A year ago, my daughter had just graduated from high school and we were preparing for her to head to college — and for me to be an empty nester. I started thinking seriously about how I would feed myself as a solo person when I have spent two decades feeding a family.
That spawned the idea of cutting down some favorite recipes to make enough for one.
This Chicken Scampi for One recipe is among the first recipes I tackled, working to transform a dish that usually feeds four into something where I wouldn't end up with leftovers — or if I did, it would only be a little.
The result is a lemony, garlicky pasta, just as you'd expect, cut down into a single portion. It's easy enough to make after work and satisfying enough to really enjoy it when you do.
In order to scale this one, I used bottled lemon juice and only a portion of a shallot. Controling the amount of each ingredient used ensures balanced flavors.
Also, a few notes on the recipe: Although this recipe serves one, you might want to reserve some for leftovers. It's pretty filling. For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper to ⅛ teaspoon.
I've learned over the last year that I love making super flavorful dishes for myself, but I also love having the simplest of dinners (grilled cheese, anyone?). And you can do both. There's no rules around what's appropriate to eat as a solo person.
I'll be sharing more about cooking for one soon, now that I have a year as an empty nester under my belt. Stay tuned. What's worked for you with cooking for one? Share in the comments!
Now, who is ready to get cooking?
Chicken Scampi for One
This quick and easy recipe for Chicken Scampi for One makes a big portion of this favorite lemony, garlicy pasta. Although it serves one, you might want to reserve some for leftovers. For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper to ⅛ teaspoon
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Pinch pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- Pinch crushed red pepper
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 2 oz. dried angel hair pasta
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove from the skillet. - Add the garlic and crushed red pepper to the skillet and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the white wine and lemon juice and cook, scraping the bottom of the pan as you stir, for 3-5 minutes, or until the liquid reduces by half. Remove from heat.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about ¼ cup of pasta water.
- Heat the burner with the sauce and add the pasta water. Boil for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. Add the pasta to the skillet and toss well to combine. Slice the chicken breast and add to the skillet, tossing with the pasta. Serve
immediately with parsley garnishing.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 566Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 379mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 44g
This estimated data was provided and calculated by API Ninjas Nutrition on June 20, 2026. This is for informational purposes only. Any change in ingredients, even minute, will change these values.
