If you’re looking for a dish that beautifully balances bright, zesty flavors with rich, comforting creaminess, then this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine Recipe is exactly what your dinner table needs. It’s a personal favorite of mine when I want to impress with something simple yet utterly delicious. Juicy chicken breasts bathed in a luscious lemon garlic butter sauce pair perfectly with silky linguine tossed in a dreamy Parmesan cream sauce. Every bite delivers a harmonious blend of tangy, savory, and indulgent notes that feel like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe has a starring role, combining to create flavors and textures that are both fresh and indulgent. Using fresh garlic, zesty lemon, and real Parmesan cheese ensures an authentic taste that can’t be beat.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Even thickness pounded for uniform cooking and juicy results.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the chicken and pasta.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a subtle, balanced heat.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Delivers a deep, mellow garlic flavor without overpowering.
- ½ teaspoon paprika: Gives a slight smoky warmth and beautiful color.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: For searing chicken to golden perfection.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter: Adds richness and is divided between cooking chicken and finishing the sauce.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced: Provides fresh pungency and aromatic delight in the lemon butter sauce.
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon: The star of the dish, providing fresh citrus brightness that cuts through the richness.
- 12 ounces linguine: The perfect pasta shape to soak up the creamy sauce.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce): Creates a rich base for the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream: Brings luscious creaminess to coat every strand of pasta.
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds sharp, savory depth to the cream sauce.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sauce flavors precisely.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: Enhances the overall seasoning with gentle heat.
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning: A fragrant herb blend that elevates the sauce’s flavor profile.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: A fresh, green garnish that brightens and completes the dish.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Begin by seasoning your chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. This simple spice mix forms the flavorful crust when seared. Heat olive oil and one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, place the chicken in and sear for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. This method locks in the juices and guarantees tender, flavorful meat.
Step 2: Create the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
After searing, reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the skillet. Give the butter sauce a gentle stir and spoon it over the chicken. Let the chicken simmer for another minute so it absorbs the bright citrus and garlicky richness. Then remove the chicken from the pan and keep it warm. This step is crucial for infusing your dish with that signature zesty flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Linguine
While the chicken is resting, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Be sure to reserve about half a cup of the pasta water before draining, which you’ll use to loosen your sauce later. Perfectly cooked pasta is the heart of any great creamy pasta recipe, so don’t skip this!
Step 4: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
In a saucepan, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Slowly stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Keep stirring gently while the cheese melts and the sauce thickens to a silky consistency, about three to four minutes. Add small amounts of the reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired creamy texture—this little trick makes all the difference in coating each strand beautifully.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce, Finish and Plate
Toss your cooked linguine directly into the creamy Parmesan sauce, making sure every bite is flavorful. Then plate the pasta and top it with those gorgeous lemon garlic butter chicken breasts. Finally, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and a little extra Parmesan for a vibrant, tasty finish.
How to Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley is my favorite garnish for this recipe—it adds a lovely green pop of color and a touch of herbal brightness that complements the rich sauce and lemon butter perfectly. You can also add an extra sprinkle of Parmesan or even thin lemon slices for a pretty, zesty final touch.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad tossed lightly with a lemon vinaigrette to echo the lemon in the chicken. Steamed or roasted asparagus is another excellent choice, bringing a crisp texture and earthy flavor that contrasts wonderfully with the creamy linguine.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, consider serving the chicken sliced on a bed of pasta, drizzling the lemon garlic butter sauce over the top right before serving. Plating the pasta in neat nests on each plate with chicken artfully arranged beside it makes for a professional yet approachable presentation that will wow guests every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine Recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store the chicken and pasta separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent the pasta from absorbing too much sauce and becoming mushy.
Freezing
You can freeze the chicken breasts separately once cooled, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil or a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. The creamy linguine sauce is not recommended for freezing, as cream-based sauces can separate upon thawing and reheating.
Reheating
For best results, gently reheat the chicken in a skillet over low heat while reheating the pasta in a saucepan with a splash of cream or milk, stirring frequently until warmed and creamy again. Avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth and prevent the chicken from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will bring more juiciness and a richer flavor to this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they are fully cooked.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute the butter with olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative and use coconut cream or a dairy-free cream substitute with nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. The dish will have a different flavor but still be delicious.
How can I make the sauce thinner or thicker?
To thin the sauce, simply add reserved pasta water or more cream a little at a time. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer gently a bit longer or add a touch more Parmesan cheese.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time for a gathering?
You can cook the chicken and pasta in advance and reheat gently, but I recommend finishing the sauce last minute for the creamiest texture. Keeping components separate helps maintain freshness.
What wine pairs well with this dish?
A crisp, citrusy white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the lemon and garlic flavors beautifully without overpowering the creamy sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine Recipe is a true winner when you want to feel like a gourmet chef without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s one of those dishes that turns everyday ingredients into something special, comforting, and irresistibly tasty. Trust me, once you try this, it’s going to be a go-to favorite in your recipe collection. Get ready for some serious deliciousness!
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Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Description
A delightful Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken served over creamy Parmesan linguine, blending tender seared chicken breasts with a luscious garlic butter lemon sauce and rich Parmesan cream pasta for a comforting and elegant meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
For the Creamy Parmesan Linguine
- 12 ounces linguine
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to build flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Make the lemon garlic butter sauce: Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the chicken as it simmers for about one minute to infuse flavor. Remove chicken from heat and keep warm.
- Cook the linguine: Meanwhile, bring salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the linguine.
- Prepare the Parmesan cream sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream, then stir in grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Gradually add reserved pasta water to the sauce, stirring to loosen as needed. Add the cooked linguine and toss thoroughly until every strand is coated with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the creamy Parmesan linguine and top with the lemon garlic butter chicken. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with boneless thighs for a juicier texture.
- For added brightness and acidity, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the plated dish just before serving.
- Reserve pasta water carefully to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Use fresh Parmesan for best taste and meltability in the sauce.
