Description
This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Parmesan Linguine is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken bites sautéed in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce, tossed with al dente linguine and rich Parmesan cheese for a creamy, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season the Chicken: While pasta cooks, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper evenly.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in red pepper flakes if using.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet and toss well to coat them in the lemon garlic butter sauce.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked linguine, grated Parmesan cheese, and a splash of the reserved pasta water back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is glossy and evenly coated, adding more pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired, then serve the dish warm for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- Add fresh spinach or steamed broccoli to the dish for a nutritious vegetable boost.
- If linguine is not available, angel hair or fettuccine pasta can be used as substitutes.
