Looking for a quick, delicious, and utterly satisfying dinner idea? Say hello to your new weeknight favorite: Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta. This dish brings together juicy pan-seared chicken, golden garlic butter, zesty lemon, and a creamy, cheesy pasta that’s simply to die for. Whether you’re cooking for family or impressing guests, this flavor-packed meal is a guaranteed hit.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta
Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta checks all the boxes: it’s quick, indulgent, fresh, and family-friendly. The combination of garlic butter and lemon juice creates a perfect balance of richness and brightness, while the Parmesan cheese ties everything together with a creamy finish.
Not only does it taste incredible, but this recipe is also:
- Ready in under 40 minutes
- Made in one pan (hello, easy cleanup!)
- Customizable with add-ins like spinach or mushrooms
If you’re tired of boring chicken dinners, this one’s here to change the game.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Garlic Butter Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, sliced horizontally into cutlets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Lemon Parmesan Pasta:
- 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 2 tablespoons additional butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice and zest of one lemon
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
H2: How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta
H3: Step 1 – Cook the Pasta
Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, following the package directions. Save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Keep the pasta on standby while you move on to the chicken.
H3: Step 2 – Sear the Chicken
Season the halved chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Warm the olive oil along with 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, lay in the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside to rest.
H3: Step 3 – Create the Garlic Butter Base
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Sauté the garlic until it’s fragrant—about one minute. Stir in fresh lemon juice and zest, making sure to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan for maximum flavor.
H3: Step 4 – Toss the Pasta
Return the cooked pasta to the skillet. Mix it into the garlic-lemon butter sauce gently so everything gets well coated. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and add splashes of the reserved pasta water until you reach a silky sauce consistency.
H3: Step 5 – Add Back the Chicken
Slice the rested chicken and return it to the skillet. Toss everything together so the chicken gets coated in the cheesy, buttery pasta. Finish with fresh parsley if you’d like a pop of color.
Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta
- Go for freshly grated Parmesan to get the smoothest melt and richest taste.
- Save that pasta water! It helps bring the sauce together beautifully.
- Toss in leafy greens like baby spinach or arugula if you want to sneak in some extra veggies.
- Love citrus? Add a little extra zest to brighten the flavor even more.
Make It Your Own
Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta is super flexible. Here are a few ways to switch things up:
- Swap chicken for shrimp or salmon.
- Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Make it spicy with red pepper flakes.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a GF-friendly version.
What to Serve With This Dish
This flavorful pasta dish can be enjoyed on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, try serving it with:
- A crisp Caesar salad
- Garlic bread or focaccia
- Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus
Why Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta Is a Must-Make
This recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in a simple, approachable way. Every bite of Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta is packed with juicy, garlicky goodness and creamy, cheesy pasta with a hint of bright lemon. It’s the kind of comfort food that feels fresh and fancy—but comes together with pantry staples.
Whether it’s your first time making it or your fiftieth, this meal never fails to impress.
Final Thoughts
Craving something cozy but with a zing of freshness? Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta hits all the right notes. Quick enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for guests, and so delicious you’ll find yourself coming back for seconds (and thirds!).
PrintGarlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta
This Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate comfort food—juicy, seared chicken in a garlic-butter sauce, tossed with creamy lemon-Parmesan pasta. Bright, rich, and easy to make, it’s a restaurant-quality meal you can whip up at home in just 40 minutes!
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced horizontally into cutlets)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
8 oz spaghetti or linguine
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water (adjust as needed)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Season chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter.
Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.
Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to rest.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Lemon Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
Add 1 tablespoon butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in lemon juice and zest, scraping up any browned bits.
Step 4: Toss the Pasta
Add cooked pasta to the skillet.
Gently toss with the lemon garlic butter sauce.
Stir in Parmesan cheese, then add pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Slice rested chicken and place on top of the pasta.
Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
For a lighter version, use whole wheat pasta and cut back slightly on the butter and cheese.
Add baby spinach or arugula to the sauce for extra greens.
Want more heat? Add red pepper flakes with the garlic.
Swap chicken with shrimp or tofu for a pescatarian or vegetarian twist.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and adds richer flavor than pre-shredded.
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon Parmesan Pasta
