Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Parmesan Linguine

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Parmesan Linguine 🍋🧄🍝

This zesty, flavorful dish features tender chicken bites cooked in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce, paired with savory parmesan linguine. It’s a deliciously simple yet indulgent meal that will become a family favorite in no time!

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Bites:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

• Zest of 1 lemon

For the Linguine:

• 8 oz linguine pasta

• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:

1. Cook the Linguine:

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes.

   • Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drizzle the linguine with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together, and set aside.

2. Prepare the Chicken Bites:

   • Season the chicken breast pieces with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

   • In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

3. Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:

   • In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.

   • Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

   • Stir in the lemon juice and zest, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken.

4. Combine Chicken and Linguine:

   • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the lemon garlic butter sauce to coat the chicken evenly.

   • Add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing to combine with the chicken and sauce. If the pasta seems dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

   • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.

5. Serve:

   • Once everything is well combined, serve the lemon garlic butter chicken bites with the parmesan linguine on individual plates.

   • Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and extra flavor.

Cooking Tips:

• If you like a little extra zing, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle kick.

• To make the dish even creamier, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream when adding the Parmesan cheese.

• Be sure to cook the chicken on medium-high heat so it gets a nice golden brown crust while staying tender inside.

Who Will Enjoy This Dish?

This zesty lemon garlic butter chicken with savory parmesan linguine is perfect for anyone who loves a well-balanced meal of tender chicken, rich garlic butter, and comforting pasta. It’s an easy-to-make, family-friendly dish that’s perfect for dinner, impressing guests, or treating yourself to something special. The combination of fresh lemon and creamy parmesan will leave you craving more!