Description
A flavorful dish combining tender chicken bites in a creamy pasta, brightened with zesty lemon and garlic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 8 oz linguine
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until just tender. Be sure to scoop out some pasta water and set it aside before draining the pasta.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, letting it cook until golden on the outside and fully cooked inside, stirring occasionally. Transfer the chicken to a plate once done.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Once melted, stir in the garlic along with the lemon zest and juice, cooking briefly until fragrant and slightly glossy.
- Add the chicken back into the pan, tossing it through the lemon garlic butter until well coated. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before removing from heat.
- In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring until warmed through.
- Mix in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then incorporate the grated Parmesan until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it slightly.
- Add the cooked linguine to the creamy sauce and gently toss until every strand is perfectly coated.
- Serve the chicken bites alongside or over the creamy pasta, finishing with extra parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Add veggies like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for additional nutrition. Experiment with different cheeses for variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken, pasta, garlic, lemon, dinner, Italian