Chicken scampi is a popular dish at Olive Garden, known for its tender chicken, garlic butter sauce, and accompaniment of linguine pasta. With its savory flavors and satisfying portions, it’s easy to see why this meal is a go-to choice for many Olive Garden patrons. However, for those monitoring their carb intake, the pasta component may raise questions about just how many carbohydrates are contained in Olive Garden’s chicken scampi.
This article will provide a thorough breakdown of the carb count in Olive Garden’s chicken scampi, examining the dish’s individual components to determine the total carbohydrate content. We’ll look at the amount of carbs in the linguine pasta, chicken breast, garlic butter sauce, and any other ingredients that make up this menu item. With the facts and figures detailed below, you’ll have the information needed to make informed choices about ordering chicken scampi at Olive Garden based on your dietary needs and carb allowance.
Carbohydrate Content of Linguine Pasta
The base of Olive Garden’s chicken scampi is linguine pasta. Linguine is one of many types of pasta found on the menu, characterized by its long, flat noodles about 1/4 inch wide. Pasta is traditionally made from unleavened dough consisting of flour and eggs or water.
During the pasta-making process, the wheat flour is mixed with a liquid to form a dough, which is then shaped into different types of noodles. The main carbohydrates found in wheat flour come from starch molecules abundant in the wheat kernel.
According to Olive Garden’s nutrition information, an order of chicken scampi includes around 220g of linguine pasta. With around 30g of carbohydrate per 100g serving of linguine, that means this pasta portion contains about 66g of carbs.
So the linguine alone makes up a significant chunk of this dish’s total carbohydrate content. Keep reading to see carb counts for the other components.
Nutrition Facts for Linguine (per 100g)
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
|---|---|
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5g |
| Sugars | 3g |
Carbohydrates in Olive Garden’s Chicken Breast
In addition to pasta, Olive Garden’s chicken scampi features sautéed chicken breast in the entree. Chicken breast is well recognized as a lean source of protein that is low in carbohydrates by nature.
According to the USDA, a 100g serving of roasted, skinless chicken breast contains zero grams of carbs. So any carbs from the chicken itself are minimal. However, the method of preparation could impact the carb count.
Olive Garden likely sautés the chicken breast in a small amount of oil or butter, along with seasonings like garlic, salt, and pepper. Any high-carb ingredients like flour or breading do not appear to be used. So the chicken breast itself likely adds only trace amounts of carbohydrate to the meal. Any extras absorbed from the cooking process would still yield under 5g net carbs from a typical chicken breast filet.
Nutrition Facts for Chicken Breast (per 100g)
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
|---|---|
| Protein | 31g |
| Fat | 3.6g |
Carbohydrate Content of Garlic Butter Sauce
What really brings the flavors of chicken scampi together is the garlic butter sauce. This rich, savory sauce amps up the taste and adds another element for figuring up the total carbs.
Olive Garden’s garlic butter sauce is made from a mixture of butter, oil, garlic, white wine, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Butter and oil make up most of the sauce, accounting for a good portion of its calories and fat content. But it is not a significant source of carbs.
Garlic, lemon juice, and seasonings add ton of flavor without significant carbs. The white wine contributes trace carbs, but amounts used in restaurant cooking are typically minimal.
In summary, the garlic butter sauce likely adds only 1-2g net carbohydrates per serving at most. So this flavorful component is not a major factor for carb counts.
Estimated Carbs for Garlic Butter Sauce (per 100g)
| Total Carbohydrates | 5g |
|---|---|
| Fiber | 0g |
| Net Carbs | 5g |
Full Nutrition Facts for Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
Now that we’ve evaluated the carb contents of each component – linguine, chicken, and sauce – we can put it all together to estimate total carbs in Olive Garden’s chicken scampi.
An average order provides around 220g cooked linguine pasta, containing 66g net carbs. A chicken breast filet adds under 5g net carbs. The garlic butter sauce contributes another 1-2g carbs.
So in total, a full order of chicken scampi at Olive Garden provides approximately **72-73g net carbohydrates**.
This is a moderately high amount of carbs for a single meal, especially for those counting carbs or following a lower carb diet plan. However, that doesn’t mean you need to avoid this tasty dish completely!
Some ways to reduce carbs in this meal include:
– Requesting half the regular portion of linguine or substituting a lower carb vegetable instead.
– Asking for extra chicken breast and going light on the pasta.
– Enjoying the chicken scampi sauce over low carb alternatives like zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
With a few adjustments, you can still savor Olive Garden’s signature chicken scampi while keeping your carb count in check. Monitor portions of the linguine side and fill up on extra protein and non-starchy veggies for a more balanced approach.
Conclusion
Olive Garden’s chicken scampi is a carb-heavy dish, containing around 72-73g net carbs in a standard order. Linguine pasta contributes the majority of carbohydrates, while the chicken breast and garlic butter sauce provide minimal additional carbs. Requesting smaller pasta portions, substituting vegetable sides, or pouring the sauce over low carb swaps can help reduce total carbs for a more diet-friendly meal. With the facts on carbs in chicken scampi detailed here, you can make informed choices to enjoy this Olive Garden specialty while meeting your nutritional needs.
