Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Parmesan Linguine is a quick and flavorful meal combining tender chicken pieces sautéed in garlic butter with al dente linguine tossed in a zesty lemon and Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe balances savory, tangy, and cheesy elements for a comforting yet refreshing pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Instructions
- Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Heat butter and oil: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with the olive oil until hot and shimmering.
- Season and cook chicken: Season the diced chicken breast evenly with salt and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare garlic butter sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, the minced garlic, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked linguine directly to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, pour the lemon juice over the top, and add chopped parsley. Toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta, allowing the cheese to melt slightly and the flavors to meld.
- Serve warm: Plate the garlic butter chicken bites and linguine. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright citrus flavor.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and add a mild heat if desired.
- Reserve some pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce before tossing.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for a juicier texture.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute linguine with gluten-free pasta.
