Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken & Creamy Parmesan Pasta

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Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken & Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • Olive oil: 1 tablespoon

  • Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons

  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced

  • Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon

  • Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, and paprika to taste

For the Pasta:

  • Pasta: 250g spaghetti or linguine

  • Heavy cream: 1 cup

  • Parmesan cheese: ½ cup, freshly grated

  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced

  • Lemon zest: 1 teaspoon

  • Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped

Detailed Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

  • Slice and Season: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika.

  • Sear: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes).

  • Finish with Flavor: Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the pan. Toss the chicken to coat it in the garlic butter sauce, then remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

2. Cook the Pasta

  • Boil: Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente.

  • Reserve Water: Before draining, save about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water.

3. Create the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

  • Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for the chicken (don’t wash it—those brown bits add flavor!), add a little more butter if needed and sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds.

  • Simmer Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

  • Melt Cheese: Whisk in the ½ cup of Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If it’s too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

  • Add Zest: Stir in the lemon zest for that bright, zesty finish.

4. Combine and Serve

  • Toss: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every strand in the creamy sauce.

  • Plate: Serve the pasta topped with the lemon garlic chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

Cooking Tip

To keep this meal balanced, try serving it with a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh green salad.

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