Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

 

🍋🧄 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta: The Weeknight Dinner That Feels Gourmet

Looking for a dinner that tastes like it came from a cozy Italian bistro — but only takes one pan and under an hour to make?

Say hello to your new favorite comfort meal:
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta.

This dish brings together tender, golden-seared chicken, a rich and creamy Parmesan pasta, and the bright kick of lemon and garlic — all in one skillet. It’s cozy, zesty, and downright luxurious, without a single trip to a fancy restaurant.

It’s the kind of meal that gets you compliments — and maybe even silence at the dinner table (because everyone’s too busy devouring it).

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🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cutlets or strips

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Pasta & Sauce:

• 8 oz fettuccine or linguine

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Juice and zest of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1½ cups pasta water, reserved before draining

• Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

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👩‍🍳 How to Make It

1. Cook the Pasta

Boil your pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1½ cups of pasta water before draining — you’ll use this to bring the sauce together.

2. Season & Sear the Chicken

Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Remove and set aside — keep warm.

3. Make the Creamy Lemon Parmesan Sauce

In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes.
Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning.
Add the heavy cream and bring to a low simmer. Slowly whisk in the Parmesan cheese.

4. Combine with Pasta

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Use the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.

5. Finish & Serve

Slice or leave the chicken whole, then return it to the skillet on top of the pasta.
Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan.

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🍽️ Why This Recipe Works

• Bold flavor combo: Creamy, cheesy, buttery — balanced by zesty lemon and garlic.

• One-pan ease: Fewer dishes, less cleanup.

• Restaurant-quality: Impress guests or treat yourself on a weeknight.

• Kid-friendly but grown-up approved: Comforting, familiar flavors with a little flair.

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💡 Variations & Tips

• Swap chicken for shrimp or salmon for a seafood twist.

• Want extra veggies? Add spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to the pasta.

• Prefer a lighter sauce? Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.

• Make it gluten-free with your favorite GF pasta.

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📝 Final Thoughts

This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is everything you want in a dinner: comforting, creamy, rich — yet lightened up with bright lemon and aromatic garlic.

It’s proof that with just a few simple ingredients and one pan, you can make something truly special.

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🍋 One bite and you’ll see why this dish keeps making its way back to the dinner table.