🍋 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Golden, juicy chicken coated in a lemon-garlic butter glaze paired with silky, creamy parmesan pasta. This dish tastes restaurant-quality but is simple enough for a busy weeknight. Rich, comforting, zesty, and unbelievably delicious.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into bite-size pieces)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp honey (optional, for caramelization)
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- 250g spaghetti (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken
- Season chicken with paprika, salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Heat olive oil in a pan on medium-high.
- Add chicken and cook until golden and lightly charred.
- Add butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and honey.
- Toss until chicken becomes glossy and caramelized.
3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- In another pan, melt butter.
- Add garlic and sauté 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream + milk; stir gently.
- Add parmesan and mix until smooth.
- Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in cooked pasta.
- Add a splash of pasta water if sauce is too thick.
4. Assemble
- Serve creamy parmesan pasta with lemon garlic butter chicken on top or on the side.
- Garnish with parsley.
Enjoy the best comfort-meets-freshness plate ever!
🍽 Servings
Serves 3–4 people.
📊 Nutritional Info (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 620–700
- Protein: 35–40g
- Carbs: 55–60g
- Fat: 28–35g
- Fiber: 2–3g
Numbers vary depending on cream and pasta used.
💚 Benefits
✔ High-protein & filling
✔ Balanced meal with carbs + protein + fats
✔ Restaurant-style flavor at home
✔ Family-friendly
✔ Easily customizable (low-carb, spicy, creamy, etc.)
💡 Notes & Tips
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the best creamy melt.
- Add a splash of pasta water to thin the sauce as needed.
- For more lemon flavor → add extra zest, not juice.
- For extra creaminess → add 2 tbsp cream cheese.
- For low-calorie → use half cream, half chicken broth.
- For low-carb → use zoodles or chickpea pasta.
❓ Q/A
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes! They stay extra juicy and flavorful.
Q: Can I make the pasta sauce lighter?
Use milk + a little parmesan + 1 tsp cornstarch for thickening.
Q: Does this reheat well?
Yes. Add a splash of milk when reheating the pasta.
Q: Can I make it spicy?
Add extra chili flakes or paprika.