🍋🧄 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Serves: 4 | Total Time: ~35–40 minutes
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 thighs)
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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3 tbsp butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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Juice of 1 lemon
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Zest of ½ lemon
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1 tbsp olive oil
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
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8 oz (about 225g) fettuccine, spaghetti, or your favorite pasta
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2 tbsp butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
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1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
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Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
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Reserved pasta water (½ cup)
🔪 Instructions:
🔥 1. Cook the Pasta:
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Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
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Drain and set aside.
🍗 2. Prepare the Chicken:
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Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter over medium heat.
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Add chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes per side (depending on thickness), until golden and cooked through.
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Add garlic, remaining 2 tbsp butter, lemon juice, and zest to the skillet.
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Spoon butter mixture over chicken as it finishes cooking. Set aside and keep warm.
🍝 3. Make the Parmesan Sauce:
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In the same skillet (don’t clean it — flavor boost!), add 2 tbsp butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds.
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Pour in heavy cream, stir well, and bring to a gentle simmer.
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Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and chili flakes if using.
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Let the sauce thicken slightly (2–3 minutes), then add in the drained pasta.
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Toss to coat. If too thick, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time.
🍽️ 4. Combine and Serve:
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Slice chicken and serve over the creamy parmesan pasta.
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Drizzle with any extra lemon butter from the pan.
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Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and extra Parmesan.
📝 Tips:
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Extra punch? Add a splash of white wine to the pan after searing the chicken.
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No cream? Use evaporated milk or a mix of milk and cream cheese.
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Add veggies: Toss in spinach, roasted tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms for a full one-pan meal.
Would you like a meal prep, low-carb, or one-pan sheet version of this?