Description

A quick and flavorful Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Parmesan Linguine recipe perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. Tender chicken bites cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce are tossed with al dente linguine, fresh parsley, tangy lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese for a deliciously creamy pasta dish.

Ingredients

Chicken and Sauce

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
3 tablespoons butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Juice of 1 lemon

Pasta

8 oz linguine pasta

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Instructions

Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Heat butter and oil: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of butter together with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare the pan for sautéing the chicken.
Season and cook chicken: Season the diced chicken breast with salt and black pepper. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Prepare garlic butter sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté the mixture for 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the chicken and garlic butter sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated and the cheese starts to melt.
Serve warm: Plate the pasta and chicken bites immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired for an added burst of flavor and presentation.

Notes

For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer a juicier texture.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting results.
Make sure not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.