If you’re on the lookout for a dish that bursts with flavor and feels like a warm, comforting hug, then the Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta Recipe is exactly what you need. This dish combines tender, juicy chicken bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce with a zesty, creamy lemon Parmesan pasta that dances on your palate. Perfectly balanced, yet wonderfully simple, it makes for an unforgettable meal whether you’re feeding family, friends, or just treating yourself to something special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might seem straightforward, but each one plays an essential role in building layers of flavor. From the aromatic garlic and fresh lemon zest to the rich Parmesan and creamy butter, every item contributes texture, brightness, and depth to this mouthwatering dish.
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts: The star protein, tender and juicy when cooked right.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Perfect for a golden sear that locks in moisture.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and seasons the meat just right.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a subtle kick to balance the richness.
- 5 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the dish with its distinct, fragrant aroma.
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Offers a hint of warmth without overpowering.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter: Creates that silky, indulgent sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped: A fresh herbal note to brighten the dish.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Adds a zesty pop to cut through the richness.
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest: Packs a concentrated burst of citrus flavor.
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta: The perfect canvas for the creamy sauce.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for pasta): Keeps the noodles from sticking and adds gloss.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Creates that luscious, velvety sauce base for the pasta.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Brings savory umami and smoothness.
- 1/4 cup pasta water: The secret ingredient to perfect sauce consistency.
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped: Adds a fragrant, sweet herbal finish.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Sear the Chicken
Start by heating two tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Meanwhile, season your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. When the oil shimmers, place the chicken into the pan and cook each side for 6 to 7 minutes until the exterior achieves a gorgeous golden brown color and the inside is perfectly cooked through. This sear locks in flavor and juices, making your chicken succulent for the next steps.
Step 2: Create the Garlic Butter Sauce
After removing the cooked chicken and setting it aside, keep the skillet warm but empty. Toss in minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for just 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic releases its intoxicating aroma but doesn’t burn. Then, melt half a cup of unsalted butter into the skillet, stirring constantly to marry the flavors. To brighten things up, add freshly chopped parsley, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stirring well to create a silky, tangy garlic butter sauce that will coat your chicken beautifully.
Step 3: Slice the Chicken and Combine with Sauce
Carefully slice the rested chicken into strips, then return them to the skillet with your butter sauce. Toss gently so every piece is drenched in that flavorful garlic butter mixture. Keeping the skillet off the heat at this stage ensures the sauce doesn’t overcook while you finish the pasta.
Step 4: Cook the Fettuccine Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your fettuccine and cook according to the package directions until al dente—cooked through but still firm to the bite. Before draining, scoop out a quarter cup of the pasta water and set it aside. This magical water helps adjust the sauce’s consistency perfectly later. Drain the pasta and toss it with a tablespoon of olive oil so the noodles stay separate and shiny.
Step 5: Prepare the Creamy Lemon Parmesan Sauce
Heat the heavy cream gently in a saucepan over medium heat. As it warms, stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly, thickening the sauce. Gradually add the reserved pasta water little by little, stirring constantly, to obtain a sauce that clings to the pasta without being too heavy or watery. This balance makes every bite delightfully creamy and zesty.
Step 6: Combine Pasta and Chicken
Pour the luscious Parmesan cream sauce over your tossed fettuccine, mixing thoroughly so the noodles soak up every bit of flavor. Next, lay the sliced garlic butter chicken atop the pasta, letting the savory sauce mingle with the creamy pasta for an irresistible final ensemble. Finish it off with freshly chopped basil and, if you desire, extra parsley for that fresh, green pop.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Bright herb garnishes like chopped fresh basil and parsley add a lovely contrast in both color and flavor. They provide a fresh note against the richness of the sauce and give your plate a vibrant, inviting look that makes the dish even more mouthwatering.
Side Dishes
This dish is so rich and flavorful that simple sides complement it best. Consider serving a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette to echo the citrus notes, or some roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli to add texture and healthy balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming presentation, serve the pasta nested in a shallow bowl with the sliced chicken fan-folded over the top. Drizzle any extra garlic butter sauce around the edges and finish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a lemon wedge on the side. This adds both visual appeal and an extra tangy zing for guests who love a lemon boost.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers of the Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta Recipe should be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken and pasta will keep well for up to 3 days, making this an ideal meal prep option or a quick second-day dinner.
Freezing
While fresh is always best, you can freeze the chicken and pasta separately in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, but note the creamy sauce may require a gentle stir or slight reheating to regain its original creamy texture after thawing.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent drying out. For the pasta, add a splash of water or cream before microwaving or warming on the stove to revive that silky sauce consistency. This careful approach keeps your leftovers tasting almost as good as fresh.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will provide a juicier, slightly richer alternative, though the cooking time might vary slightly to ensure they are cooked through.
Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap the fettuccine for your favorite gluten-free pasta to keep all the flavors without the gluten. Just cook according to the gluten-free pasta package instructions.
Can I use low-fat dairy in the sauce?
Using low-fat cream might alter the richness and mouthfeel of the sauce, but it can work if you prefer a lighter version. Just keep an eye on the sauce as it may not thicken as much.
How spicy is this dish?
The crushed red pepper flakes add only a gentle heat to balance the garlic butter sauce without overpowering the lemony creaminess, making the dish suitable for most palates.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or cream to keep the sauce smooth, avoiding the microwave if you want to preserve texture and flavor best.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something about the Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta Recipe that feels like a celebration on a plate. Its combination of juicy chicken, rich buttery sauce, and that fresh lemony punch over creamy pasta comes together like a favorite cozy meal you keep coming back to. Give it a try soon—you’ll be so glad you did, and your family or friends might even start asking for it on repeat.
Print
Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta is a delightful and flavorful dish featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, complemented by creamy lemon-infused Parmesan pasta. The combination of savory garlic, zesty lemon, and fresh herbs creates a comforting yet elegant meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for pasta)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with one teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of black pepper on both sides.
- Cook Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Set Aside Chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add five minced garlic cloves and a quarter teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Cook Garlic: Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Butter: Add half a cup of unsalted butter to the skillet and melt it, stirring constantly.
- Add Herbs and Lemon: Once the butter is melted, add one tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley, one tablespoon lemon juice, and one teaspoon lemon zest.
- Combine Sauce: Stir the mixture well to combine the flavors.
- Slice Chicken: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the skillet, stirring to coat the chicken in the garlic butter sauce.
- Keep Warm: Remove the skillet from heat and set aside to keep warm.
- Boil Pasta Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Cook Pasta: Add eight ounces of fettuccine pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining, reserve a quarter cup of pasta water and set aside.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
- Toss Pasta with Oil: Add one tablespoon of olive oil to the pasta and toss to coat the noodles.
- Heat Cream: In a separate saucepan, heat one cup of heavy cream over medium heat.
- Add Cheese: Stir in half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens.
- Adjust Sauce: Add reserved pasta water, stirring constantly to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the creamy Parmesan sauce over the pasta and toss until noodles are evenly coated.
- Add Chicken on Top: Arrange the sliced chicken with garlic butter sauce on top of the pasta.
- Garnish: Garnish with a quarter cup of freshly chopped basil and additional parsley if desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately, savoring the blend of garlic butter chicken and creamy lemon Parmesan pasta.
Notes
- For extra heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smoother sauce consistency.
- Reserve pasta water carefully to help loosen and adjust the sauce without thinning the flavor.
- Cook chicken just until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption and juiciness.
- This recipe pairs well with a light green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
