Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Parmesan Lingu

• servings: 4 servings
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

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

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 tsp paprika

3 tbsp butter, divided

3 cloves garlic, minced

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

8 oz linguine

2 tbsp butter

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step-by-Step Directions:

Start by cooking the linguine in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is al dente, drain it, reserving a bit of the pasta water to help adjust the sauce’s consistency later. Set the pasta aside.

While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and lemon zest. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Once fragrant, pour in the lemon juice and allow it to simmer for a minute, letting the flavors combine. The sauce will begin to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Make the Parmesan Sauce

To the skillet, add the heavy cream and garlic powder. Stir to combine and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken. Then, gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a smooth, creamy mixture. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a bit of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing it to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. Then, return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss everything together until the chicken and pasta are well-coated in the sauce.

Serve the pasta on plates, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color. You can also add an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if you desire.

Nutrition

• Calories: 480
• Sodium: 620
• Protein: 36