Description
An easy yet flavorful meal featuring tender chicken bites in a garlic butter sauce served over creamy mozzarella spaghetti.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1.25 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender, around 8-10 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining and setting the spaghetti aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the lemon juice and zest, simmering for 1 minute.
- Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Allow it to simmer gently for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the softened cream cheese, stirring until smooth. Then, sprinkle in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, allowing it to thicken and become glossy.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat every strand. If needed, use the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired creaminess.
- Finally, return the chicken to the skillet and fold everything together until well combined.
- Garnish with fresh basil and lemon slices before serving hot.
Notes
Make sure your cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the sauce. Plan to prepare the sauce in advance if making ahead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken, Creamy Mozzarella Spaghetti, Family Dinner, Easy Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food