Oh yes, that combo sounds incredible! Here’s a delicious recipe for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta — bright, savory chicken paired with rich, cheesy pasta. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner!
🍋🧄🧈 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
📝 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 tsp paprika
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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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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
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8 oz (225g) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
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2 tbsp unsalted butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 1/2 cups heavy cream or half & half
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1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
🍽 Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
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Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
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Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup pasta water. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
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Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and keep warm.
3. Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:
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In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
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Add butter and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
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Stir in lemon juice and zest. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom for flavor.
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Return chicken to skillet and coat in the sauce. Keep warm.
4. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:
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In a separate saucepan or the same skillet after removing chicken, melt butter over medium heat.
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Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
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Pour in heavy cream, simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
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Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens.
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Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
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Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
5. Serve:
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Plate creamy Parmesan pasta.
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Top with lemon garlic butter chicken.
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Garnish with fresh parsley.
🧑🍳 Tips:
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Use chicken thighs for juicier meat.
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Add steamed broccoli or spinach to the pasta for veggies.
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For extra tang, add a splash of white wine to the butter sauce.
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Leftovers reheat well, add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.