Here’s a decadent and delicious recipe for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta — juicy chicken cooked in a zesty, buttery garlic sauce, served over rich, creamy pasta. It’s a restaurant-style dish you can make easily at home!
🍋 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
🕒 Total Time: 35–40 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 thighs), pounded to even thickness
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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Zest of 1 lemon
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Juice of ½ lemon
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2 tbsp olive oil
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2 tbsp unsalted butter
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3–4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
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8 oz pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or penne)
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2 tbsp butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup heavy cream (or half & half for lighter version)
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¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ tsp black pepper
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Salt to taste
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Juice of ½ lemon
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½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
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Optional: extra parsley and lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
🔥 Step 1: Cook the Pasta
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Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente.
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Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
🍗 Step 2: Cook the Chicken
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Season chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sear 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
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In the last minute of cooking, add butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice to the pan. Spoon the melted garlic butter over the chicken as it finishes cooking.
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Remove chicken and let rest for a few minutes. Slice or leave whole.
🍝 Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
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In the same skillet (no need to clean), melt 2 tbsp butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Pour in cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
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Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth.
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Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
🥣 Step 4: Combine & Serve
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Serve sliced or whole chicken over a bed of creamy pasta.
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Drizzle with any leftover garlic butter sauce from the pan.
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Garnish with parsley, more Parmesan, and lemon zest.
✅ Tips & Variations
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Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
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Use shrimp or salmon instead of chicken for a seafood twist.
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Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the pasta for extra color and flavor.
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Lighter version: Use half & half and skip the butter for a leaner meal.