Description
Succulent garlic butter chicken dances alongside zesty lemon parmesan pasta, creating a harmonious Mediterranean-inspired meal. Home cooks can easily craft this restaurant-quality dish with simple ingredients and straightforward technique.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or white wine)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) pasta water (reserved)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
- Additional Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a well-salted water pot to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, reserving 1/4 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Chicken Seasoning: Thoroughly dry chicken pieces and coat with a blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior, ensuring complete doneness. Transfer to a holding plate.
- Sauce Creation: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping up caramelized bits. Introduce lemon juice to craft a vibrant pan sauce.
- Pasta Finishing: In a separate pan, combine olive oil and butter. Awaken garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Add lemon juice, Parmesan, and reserved pasta water to create a silky coating for the pasta.
- Plating and Garnish: Arrange pasta on plates, top with garlic butter chicken. Embellish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan to elevate the dish’s visual and flavor profile.
Notes
- Choose Chicken Wisely: Select chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges or undercooked centers.
- Manage Pasta Water Smartly: Reserve pasta water before draining; its starchy essence helps create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings perfectly to pasta strands.
- Control Skillet Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat for chicken to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, creating a delectable caramelized crust that locks in moisture.
- Adapt for Dietary Needs: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use plant-based butter for lactose-free version, or replace chicken with tofu for vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg