Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

🍴 Description

Juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared and coated in a luscious lemon-garlic butter sauce, served over a bed of creamy Parmesan pasta. Bright lemon and garlic flavors balance the richness of butter and Parmesan, creating a comforting yet elegant meal.

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6–8 oz each)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)

• ½ teaspoon lemon zest

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• ¼ cup chicken broth or white wine

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

• 8 oz fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1–2 tablespoons pasta water (if needed to loosen sauce)

🔥 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Pasta

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

2. Drain, reserving ¼ cup pasta water, and set aside.

2️⃣ Season the Chicken

1. Pat chicken dry.

2. Rub with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

3️⃣ Cook the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add chicken breasts and sear 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

3. Remove chicken from skillet and rest on a plate.

4️⃣ Make Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter.

2. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add chicken broth or white wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes.

4. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.

5. Stir in chopped parsley.

👉 Optional: Spoon sauce over chicken as it rests.

5️⃣ Make Creamy Parmesan Pasta

1. In a separate skillet or same pan after making sauce, melt 1 tablespoon butter.

2. Sauté minced garlic 30 seconds.

3. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

5. Toss cooked pasta in sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed for desired consistency.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6️⃣ Assemble

1. Place creamy pasta on plates.

2. Top with lemon garlic butter chicken.

3. Drizzle extra sauce from skillet over the chicken.

4. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

💡 Tips for Success

• Chicken: Pat dry for best sear. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

• Sauce: Don’t overcook garlic or it becomes bitter.

• Pasta: Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce without thinning flavor.

• Extra flavor: Add sautéed spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms to pasta.

🧊 Storage

• Fridge: 3–4 days (store chicken and pasta separately for best texture)

• Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of cream or pasta water