🍋🧄 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
🍽️ Serves: 4
⏱️ Total Time: ~30–35 minutes
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
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Salt & pepper
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2 tbsp olive oil
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4 tbsp unsalted butter
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5 cloves garlic, minced
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Juice and zest of 1 lemon
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1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
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8 oz fettuccine, linguine, or your favorite pasta
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2 tbsp butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 1/2 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
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1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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Salt & pepper to taste
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta:
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Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Cook the chicken:
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Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
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Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Make lemon garlic butter sauce:
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In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
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Add lemon juice, zest, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir and scrape up any brown bits from the chicken.
4. Make the creamy Parmesan pasta sauce:
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In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
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Pour in heavy cream, simmer gently 3–5 minutes.
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Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
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Add pasta to sauce, toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
5. Plate & serve:
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Slice chicken, serve over creamy Parmesan pasta.
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Drizzle with lemon garlic butter sauce from skillet.
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Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
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Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus
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Garlic bread or crusty baguette
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Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette
🔄 Variations:
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Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to pasta sauce
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Use chicken thighs for juicier meat
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Swap Parmesan for Pecorino Romano for a sharper bite
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Make it lighter with half cream, half chicken broth
Want me to send you a printable recipe card, or help you with a one-pan version or slow cooker adaptation?
