🍋 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine – Bright, Bold & Luxuriously Creamy

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I. Recipe Card

✨ Recipe Name & Tagline
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine – Juicy seared chicken in a citrusy butter sauce served over silky linguine tossed in a garlicky Parmesan cream—easy elegance on a plate.

Servings & Timing

  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Cook Time: 25 minutes

  • Total Time: 40 minutes

  • Dietary Tags: High-Protein | Indulgent Comfort | Weeknight Favorite

🛒 Ingredients Checklist

For the Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • Salt & pepper

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter

  • 6 garlic cloves, minced

  • Juice + zest of 1 lemon

  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)

For the Creamy Parmesan Linguine

  • 12 oz linguine

  • 2 Tbsp butter

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1½ cups heavy cream

  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Salt & pepper

  • 1 tsp lemon zest

  • Chopped parsley (for garnish)

🔪 Quick Instructions

  1. Season & sear chicken: Season chicken with spices. Sear in olive oil until golden and cooked through.

  2. Make lemon garlic butter sauce: Add butter, garlic, lemon zest + juice. Simmer chicken in sauce briefly.

  3. Cook linguine: Boil until al dente.

  4. Make Parmesan sauce: Sauté garlic in butter, add cream. Simmer. Whisk in Parmesan until smooth.

  5. Combine pasta & plate: Toss pasta in sauce, plate, and top with lemon chicken. Garnish with parsley.

Notes:

  • Lighten it up with half-and-half or use whole-wheat linguine.

  • This one’s a full-meal stunner but still W-W tweakable!

II. Brief Introduction

Let’s get real—this dish looks and tastes like a fancy bistro special, but it’s surprisingly simple and ready in under 45 minutes. This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine checks all the boxes: juicy pan-seared chicken, a velvety Parmesan sauce, and a zesty finish from fresh lemon juice and zest. It’s indulgent, bright, and deeply satisfying. My favorite kind of comfort food—flavor-packed with just the right amount of finesse. 💛

III. Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

1. Prep & Season Chicken

  • Pat chicken dry, then season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

  • Optional: Pound chicken lightly for even thickness.

2. Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

  • Heat 3 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

  • Add chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temp).

  • Transfer to a plate and set aside.

3. Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

  • In the same skillet, melt 4 Tbsp butter.

  • Add 6 minced garlic cloves, cook until fragrant (1–2 minutes).

  • Stir in lemon zest and juice.

  • Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over top. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
    Tip: This lemon butter bath is everything—don’t rush it!

4. Cook the Linguine

  • Boil a large pot of salted water. Add 12 oz linguine, cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.

  • Save a little pasta water in case you need to loosen your sauce later.

5. Make Creamy Parmesan Sauce

  • In a saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp butter. Add 4 cloves minced garlic, sauté 1 minute.

  • Stir in 1½ cups heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer.

  • Slowly whisk in 1 cup Parmesan until melted and smooth.

  • Season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp lemon zest.

  • Add cooked pasta and toss to coat.

6. Serve & Garnish

  • Plate creamy linguine in shallow bowls or plates.

  • Top with sliced lemon garlic butter chicken.

  • Finish with parsley, extra Parmesan, and optional red pepper flakes.

IV. Ingredient Tips & Substitutions

  • Chicken: Boneless thighs work too—just adjust cooking time.

  • Cream: For a lighter version, sub with half-and-half or even unsweetened cashew milk + a tablespoon of flour for thickening.

  • Pasta: Whole-wheat linguine or low-carb alternatives work great here.

  • Cheese: Always use freshly grated Parmesan—it melts beautifully into the sauce.

V. Flavor Variations & Serving Suggestions

Flavor Twists:

  • Add Veggies: Stir in sautéed spinach, roasted broccoli, or cherry tomatoes to bulk it up.

  • Spicy Kick: Add ½ tsp crushed red pepper to the cream sauce.

  • Lemon Basil Upgrade: Swap Italian seasoning for fresh basil leaves.

Perfect Pairings:

  • Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette

  • Garlic roasted asparagus

  • A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling water with citrus wedges

VI. Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Fridge:

  • Store pasta and chicken separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.

  • Reheat pasta gently with a splash of milk or cream.

Freezer:

  • Chicken freezes well—wrap tightly and store up to 2 months.

  • Cream sauce may separate when thawed; stir well when reheating.

Make-Ahead:

  • Chicken and sauce can be prepped the night before.

  • Just boil fresh pasta when ready to serve!

VII. Nutrition Info (Per Serving, Approx.)

Calories Protein Carbs Fat
690 45g 38g 40g

W-W Light Version Tips:

  • Use grilled chicken

  • Sub heavy cream with light evaporated milk or half-and-half

  • Use whole-wheat pasta

  • Portion pasta carefully (1 cup = ~200 calories)

VIII. FAQs

Q: Can I bake the chicken instead?
A: Yes! Bake seasoned chicken at 400°F for 22–25 minutes until cooked through.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Use a dairy-free Parmesan substitute and full-fat coconut milk instead of cream. Note: flavor will be less sharp.

Q: Can I use a different pasta?
A: Of course—spaghetti, penne, or even zucchini noodles all work here.

Q: Is this freezer-friendly?
A: Chicken yes, sauce no (cream sauces can separate). Best enjoyed fresh.

IX. Kristy’s Note

This is one of those recipes I make when I want to impress—but without any fuss. The lemon garlic butter chicken is so flavorful, it almost steals the show from the pasta (almost 😉). I love how easily it adapts for a W-W friendly version—it’s about balance and bold flavor, not restriction. Try it once and it might just earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation. 💛

X. More W-W Friendly Pasta Favorites

  • 🍅 Creamy Tuscan Chicken Penne

  • 🍋 Lemon Basil Chicken Pasta Salad

  • 🍝 W-W Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Bake

  • 🌱 Spinach & Ricotta Light Lasagna Rolls

XI. Call to Action

Tried this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine? I’d love to see your plate! 💬 Tag me @KristyCookRecipes on Instagram, rate the recipe, or leave a comment below. Let’s make elegant, easy, and W-W friendly meals our new standard! 🍽️💛

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