Here’s a luxurious and flavor-packed dish: Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta — golden pan-seared chicken in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce, paired with a rich, creamy Parmesan pasta. It’s a one-pan-style meal that feels fancy but is easy enough for a weeknight!
🍋 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
🍽️ Servings: 4
⏱️ Time: 35–40 minutes
🧂 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp paprika
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1 tbsp olive oil
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2 tbsp butter
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3–4 cloves garlic, minced
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Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)
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Zest of 1 lemon
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1 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
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8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
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1 tbsp butter
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
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¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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1/4 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
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Reserved pasta water (as needed for thinning)
👩🍳 Instructions:
🔹 1. Cook the Pasta:
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Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
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Reserve about ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
🔹 2. Season & Cook the Chicken:
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Pat chicken dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
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Transfer to a plate and cover loosely.
🔹 3. Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:
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In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Stir in lemon juice and zest. Simmer for 1 minute to deglaze the pan.
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Add chicken back in to coat with the sauce. Remove again and keep warm while making pasta.
🔹 4. Make the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
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In the same skillet (or a separate one), melt 1 tbsp butter.
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Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in cream and bring to a simmer.
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Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and optional Italian seasoning.
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Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water, a splash at a time, to loosen the sauce as needed.
🔹 5. Assemble & Serve:
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Slice or leave chicken whole and serve over or beside creamy pasta.
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Spoon any leftover lemon butter sauce over the top.
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Garnish with parsley, extra lemon zest, or more Parmesan.
🍽️ Tips & Variations:
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Add spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes to the pasta for color and texture.
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Swap chicken for shrimp or salmon for a seafood twist.
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Use angel hair pasta for a lighter feel or zoodles for a low-carb option.
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Add a dash of crushed red pepper if you like a bit of heat.