Description
This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine is a delicious and comforting dish combining tender, lemon-infused chicken with a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet simple to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 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
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter (for cooking chicken)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz linguine
- 2 tbsp butter (for sauce)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat each piece evenly with the marinade.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the linguine.
- Prepare Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream and the reserved pasta water, allowing it to simmer gently for about 2 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce, tossing gently to coat the pasta evenly. Stir the cooked chicken back into the skillet, mixing everything together.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your flavorful Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Feel free to substitute linguine with fettuccine or spaghetti if preferred.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best sauce texture and taste.
