Absolutely! Here’s a rich and flavorful Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta — a restaurant-worthy dish made in your own kitchen. Juicy, golden chicken thighs (or breasts) seared in lemony garlic butter, served over silky, cheesy pasta… Yes, please.
🍋 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
🕒 Total Time: 40–45 minutes
Servings: 4
🧾 Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
-
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
-
1 teaspoon paprika
-
½ teaspoon garlic powder
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
2 tablespoons butter
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
Juice of 1 lemon
-
Zest of ½ lemon (optional, for extra lemony kick)
-
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
-
8 oz fettuccine or linguine (or pasta of choice)
-
2 tablespoons butter
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
-
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
-
½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
-
Splash of pasta water, as needed to loosen sauce
🔪 Instructions:
🔹 1. Cook the Pasta
-
Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions.
-
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
🔹 2. Prepare and Sear the Chicken
-
Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until golden and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F / 74°C).
-
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to the pan and swirl.
-
Add lemon juice and zest. Baste chicken with the lemon garlic butter for 1–2 minutes.
-
Remove chicken and set aside (keep warm).
🔹 3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
-
In the same pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add garlic and sauté ~30 seconds.
-
Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
-
Stir in Parmesan, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
-
Simmer gently until slightly thickened (~2–3 minutes).
-
Toss in cooked pasta and mix to coat. Use a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
🔹 4. Assemble & Serve
-
Slice chicken and place on top of creamy pasta.
-
Spoon any pan juices over chicken.
-
Garnish with fresh parsley, more Parmesan, and a wedge of lemon.
🧊 Storage & Reheating:
-
Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
-
Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
🔄 Variations:
-
Use shrimp or salmon instead of chicken.
-
Add sautéed spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to the pasta.
-
Spice it up with a pinch of red pepper flakes.