Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Here’s a delicious and indulgent recipe for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta — a comforting one-pan meal perfect for weeknights or special dinners.

🍋 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

🧄 Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 2 large chicken breasts (or 4 small ones), sliced in half horizontally
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tbsp)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

• 8 oz (about 225g) fettuccine or spaghetti
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (or half and half)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking)
• Optional: Spinach or peas for added veggies

🔪 Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:

• Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2. Cook the Chicken:

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Sear chicken for 3–5 minutes per side or until golden and cooked through. Set aside on a plate.
4. In the same skillet, add minced garlic, lemon juice, and zest. Scrape the browned bits from the pan for flavor.
5. Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the lemon garlic butter over the top. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.

3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

1. In another pan (or the same one if there’s room), melt 2 tbsp butter.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
3. Stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. Simmer until slightly thickened (2–3 minutes).
4. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

🍽️ To Serve:

• Plate creamy parmesan pasta, then top with lemon garlic butter chicken.
• Spoon extra sauce from the pan over the chicken.
• Garnish with fresh parsley, more Parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon.

✅ Tips:

• Shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken and just make the sauce and pasta.
• Veggies: Add spinach to the pasta at the end for a green touch.
• Protein Option: Try with shrimp or salmon instead of chicken.

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