Made this Creamy Parmesan Linguine with Lemon Garlic Chicken Bites tonight, and it was a hit! The chicken bites are perfectly juicy, and the creamy pasta with that fresh lemony kick is the perfect pairing.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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
For the Parmesan Linguine:
8 oz linguine
2 tbsp butter
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Directions:
Cook the Linguine: Start by boiling the linguine according to the package instructions. Once it’s done, set aside 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the rest. Keep the linguine warm.
Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the lemon garlic butter sauce. Once well-coated, remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Prepare the Parmesan Sauce: For the linguine sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and garlic powder, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine the Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the Parmesan sauce, tossing to ensure the pasta is well-coated with the creamy sauce.
Serve: Serve the lemon garlic chicken bites alongside the creamy Parmesan linguine. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for that perfect finishing touch.
Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4