Description
Indulgent Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites paired with savory Parmesan linguine create a rich and flavorful meal perfect for a comforting dinner. Tender chicken bites are seared to golden perfection and tossed in a creamy lemon-garlic parmesan sauce, then combined with perfectly cooked linguine pasta. This dish balances bright citrus notes with the richness of butter and cream for an irresistible dinner that’s ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Sear the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer. Sear for 5-6 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown on the outside.
- Sauté garlic and add lemon: Reduce the heat to medium. Add any remaining butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and sauté briefly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add lemon juice and zest, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and incorporate all the flavorful browned bits.
- Make the creamy parmesan sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the linguine: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Drain the linguine and add it directly to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Carefully fold the seared chicken bites back into the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Mix gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Warm through for an additional minute to meld flavors.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the creamy lemon garlic butter chicken bites with the Parmesan linguine. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Allowing the chicken to marinate with lemon zest helps enhance the citrus flavor throughout the dish.
- Reserving pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce’s consistency and helping it cling to the linguine.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor; pre-grated cheese may not melt as smoothly.
- For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but expect a less rich sauce.
- Chopped parsley garnish is optional but adds a fresh color and mild herbal note.
