Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine
A flavorful and creamy dish featuring tender lemon garlic butter chicken paired with rich Parmesan linguine, perfect for an elevated weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter (for chicken)
3 cloves garlic, minced (for chicken)
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Chopped parsley, for garnish
12 oz linguine pasta
2 tablespoons butter (for linguine)
3 cloves garlic, minced (for linguine)
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped parsley, for garnish
Optional: a cube of butter to finish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and cook for another minute. Return chicken to skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Keep warm.
- In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked linguine to the Parmesan sauce, tossing to coat. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Serve creamy Parmesan linguine topped with lemon garlic butter chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley and optional cube of butter for extra richness.
Notes
- Vegetable add-ins like sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, or asparagus enhance freshness and nutrition.
- Substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu for different protein options.
- Add red pepper flakes to lemon garlic butter sauce for a spicy kick.
- For dairy-free version, use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese alternatives.
- Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat gently with splash of cream or broth.
- Not recommended to freeze due to creamy sauce texture changes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
