Description
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken bites, a creamy Parmesan sauce, and a hint of zesty lemon. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, delivering a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Linguine and Sauce:
- 8 oz linguine
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside. - Season and Cook the Chicken:
In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken pieces with lemon zest, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside. - Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the lemon juice and let it simmer for about a minute. - Prepare the Parmesan Sauce:
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic butter. Sprinkle in the garlic powder and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, if the sauce is too thick. - Combine the Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce:
Toss the cooked linguine in the Parmesan sauce until evenly coated. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet, mixing everything together. - Serve and Garnish:
Plate the pasta and chicken. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Substitute the linguine with any pasta of your choice, including gluten-free options.
- Add veggies like spinach, broccoli, or cherry tomatoes for extra nutrition.
- If the sauce thickens too much while resting, add a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a bit of cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 440mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken, Parmesan Linguine, Creamy Chicken Pasta