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Chicken Scallopini with Tomato Sauce, Wine, and Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 140 reviews

Chicken Scallopini is a flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender cubes of chicken breast seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a rich tomato and wine brown gravy sauce. Served over thin spaghetti, this comforting pasta meal balances savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors with the natural caramelization of onions and the depth of dry white wine, making it perfect for an elegant weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into evenly sized cubes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

  • 1 packet Brown Gravy Mix (0.87 oz) or 1 cup homemade brown gravy
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 small yellow onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc preferred) or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter

Seasonings

  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Pasta

  • 3/4 lb thin spaghetti (or slightly less for saucier pasta)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Gravy Mixture: In a large measuring cup with a spout, mix the brown gravy packet with 1 cup of cold water until smooth. Stir in the tomato sauce and seasonings (Italian seasoning, parsley, mustard powder, and salt). Set aside.
  2. Season and Flour Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into evenly sized cubes for uniform cooking. Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with flour and toss to coat evenly.
  3. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the floured chicken cubes and sear for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Toss and continue cooking the sides until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 3 more minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. Deglaze Skillet: Turn off heat momentarily. Add 1/4 cup of the white wine to the skillet and turn heat back to medium. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom and sides to release browned bits, enhancing the sauce’s flavor.
  5. Sauté Onions: Add butter and the sliced onions to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the onions are very soft and nearly caramelized, about 20 minutes. This step adds sweetness and balances the acidity.
  6. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Reduce Wine: Pour in the remaining 3/4 cup white wine and allow it to bubble gently, reducing for 5 minutes to concentrate the flavor.
  8. Simmer Sauce: Pour in the prepared brown gravy and tomato sauce mixture. Bring to a boil to thicken slightly (about 30 seconds), then reduce heat to a simmer. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, partially cover, and keep warm while preparing pasta.
  9. Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1/4 tablespoon salt). Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions, then drain.
  10. Combine and Serve: Add the drained spaghetti directly into the skillet with the scallopini sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Garnish with additional parsley if desired and serve immediately with garlic bread with cheese.

Notes

  • Wine Selection: Sauvignon Blanc is ideal for this recipe, followed by Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Chicken broth is a suitable substitute if avoiding alcohol, though wine enhances the depth of flavor.
  • Tomato Sauce Options: Hunt’s Tomato Sauce is recommended, but passata can be used as an alternative for a smoother texture.
  • Brown Gravy: Use one packet of store-bought brown gravy mix plus 1 cup water or substitute with homemade brown gravy for richer flavor.
  • Onion Cooking: Allow onions to cook low and slow for about 20 minutes until nearly caramelized to balance the tomato acidity naturally.
  • Chicken Prep: Cutting chicken into evenly sized cubes ensures uniform cooking and tenderness.
  • Pasta Variety: Slightly less than 3/4 lb spaghetti used to achieve extra saucy pasta; penne, ziti, or rotini may be substituted.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Freezing maintains excellent quality.

Keywords: chicken scallopini, Italian chicken recipe, stovetop chicken scallopini, tomato wine sauce, chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, seared chicken, white wine sauce

Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/chicken-scallopini-with-tomato-sauce-wine-and-pasta-recipe/