If you’re on the hunt for a dinner that captures the freshness of lemon, the richness of garlic butter, and the melt-in-your-mouth allure of creamy pasta, look no further than Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine. This dish is a celebration of simple ingredients coming together in harmony — plump chicken strips seared until golden, enveloped in a luscious lemon-garlic butter sauce, and tumbled with silky linguine and Parmesan cheese. It’s one of those recipes that feels gourmet but is secretly achievable on even your busiest night.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering just a handful of classic ingredients yields incredible results in Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine. Each element here is chosen for the flavor, texture, and brightness it brings to the table, so don’t be tempted to skip any — they’re all essential to this dish’s magic!
- Chicken breasts: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick cooking and a tender bite.
- Salt: Brings out the flavor of both chicken and sauce, so season with care.
- Black pepper: Adds just the right kick, balancing the creaminess.
- Italian seasoning: A sprinkle gives a subtle herbal note for depth.
- Olive oil: Helps get a golden sear on the chicken and infuses flavor.
- Unsalted butter: The foundation for our sauce’s silky, rich texture.
- Garlic: Nothing beats freshly minced garlic for a robust, aromatic punch.
- Lemon zest: This is where the signature zing comes in — don’t skip it!
- Lemon juice: Adds tang and balances the creamy components.
- Chicken broth: Rounds out the sauce with savory notes.
- Heavy cream: For a perfectly lush, dreamy sauce (you can swap in half-and-half, if you’d like).
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated for the creamiest melt; it’s the heart of the linguine.
- Linguine pasta: Al dente strands are ideal for catching every drop of sauce.
- Fresh parsley: Just a sprinkle before serving adds color and a pop of herby freshness.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by laying out your chicken breast strips and generously sprinkling them with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. This simple step takes just a minute but makes a world of difference for flavor, allowing your chicken to stand out against the creamy pasta background.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
In a large skillet set over medium heat, warm up the olive oil and one tablespoon of butter until shimmering. Carefully add your seasoned chicken strips and let them cook without moving them around too much — this encourages a gorgeous golden crust. Each side needs 4 to 5 minutes, just until the meat is cooked through and irresistibly juicy. Set the chicken aside on a plate for now.
Step 3: Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Using the same skillet (don’t wash it — those pan drippings equal major flavor), melt the remaining butter. Add minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute, until fragrant but not browned. Next, stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Allow everything to simmer together for a couple of minutes to marry the bright acidity with the savory base.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in that freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir constantly as the cheese melts and transforms your sauce into a thick, velvety blanket. The cream smooths out the tangy lemon and the sharp cheese creates that wonderful parmesan linguine flavor we all love.
Step 5: Toss the Linguine and Bring It All Together
Add your hot, perfectly cooked linguine straight into the pan, tossing thoroughly so each strand is enveloped in decadent sauce. Slide the reserved chicken back into the skillet and give everything a final toss so the chicken is warmed through and every bite celebrates both chicken and pasta equally.
How to Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine
Garnishes
Before you bring your skillet to the table, shower everything with a bright sprinkle of fresh parsley. For an extra bit of flourish, add a little more grated Parmesan and maybe a few grinds of black pepper. These finishing touches add color and freshness, making the dish as beautiful as it is delicious.
Side Dishes
This creamy, zesty masterpiece is happily a meal in itself, but it also plays well with others! Pair with crusty bread to mop up any extra sauce or a crisp, green salad tossed with vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast. Roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus would also be a wonderful accompaniment.
Creative Ways to Present
For weeknight family dinners, serve everything family-style straight from the skillet. Entertaining? Try plating a mound of parmesan linguine and nestling golden chicken slices artfully on top, garnished lavishly with parsley and a twist of lemon. Or, for a fun twist, toss in wilted spinach or sun-dried tomatoes as a colorful variation to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), transfer everything to an airtight container. This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine keeps well in the refrigerator for up to three days. Be sure to cool it to room temperature before sealing to keep the sauce creamy and fresh.
Freezing
For best results, freeze just the chicken and sauce; cooked pasta tends to get a bit soft after thawing. Store them in separate airtight containers for up to two months. When ready to serve, cook a fresh batch of linguine and toss it all together for that just-made texture.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth if the sauce seems too thick. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can separate the sauce and toughen the chicken. Toss in freshly cooked linguine for best results, and garnish with a fresh sprinkle of parsley and parmesan to revive the flavors.
FAQs
Can I substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine. They are slightly richer and more forgiving if you happen to cook them a touch longer.
Is it possible to make this dish gluten free?
Yes, just swap out regular linguine for your favorite gluten-free pasta. The lemon garlic butter sauce and chicken are naturally gluten free, so this simple substitute is all you need!
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Definitely — baby spinach, steamed broccoli, or even peas fold in seamlessly. Add the greens with the pasta at the end so they retain their color and just wilt from the heat of the sauce.
What’s the best way to get a really creamy sauce?
Start by using freshly grated Parmesan and room temperature heavy cream. Stir the sauce off the heat if needed to prevent the cheese from getting stringy, and add your pasta while it’s still hot to help everything blend together smoothly.
How can I make it lighter?
You can easily lighten Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine by using half-and-half in place of heavy cream, and serve smaller portions with extra vegetables or a crisp salad.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those recipes that truly feels like a treat every single time but miraculously fits even the busiest schedules. Whether you’re new to the kitchen or a seasoned cook, I hope you take the plunge and savor the magic of Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine — trust me, it’s an instant classic in any home kitchen!
Print
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Linguine – a creamy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender chicken strips are cooked to perfection in a lemony garlic butter sauce, then tossed with al dente linguine and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
For the Sauce:
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Serving:
- 8 oz linguine pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté garlic. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Simmer, then add cream and Parmesan, stirring until smooth.
- Toss Pasta: Coat cooked linguine in the sauce.
- Combine: Return chicken to skillet and heat through.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can use half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Add spinach or steamed broccoli for extra vegetables.
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