Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate comfort food—zesty lemon, rich garlic butter, and tender chicken come together with a velvety, cheesy pasta sauce for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner or an impressive weekend meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, 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 Pasta:
8 oz linguine or spaghetti
2 tbsp butter
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside. -
Prepare and Cook Chicken:
Toss chicken with lemon zest, juice, seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Heat 1 tbsp butter in a skillet and cook chicken for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside. -
Make the Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add heavy cream, then garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer and stir in Parmesan until smooth. -
Combine:
Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss. Return chicken to the pan and combine. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
-
Swap the chicken for shrimp or sausage for a twist.
-
Add spinach or cherry tomatoes for extra nutrition.
-
To make it spicy, include red pepper flakes or cayenne.
-
For a lighter version, use half-and-half.
-
Make it gluten-free with your favorite gluten-free pasta.
