Description
This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Parmesan Linguine is a delicious and easy-to-make Italian-American main course. Juicy bite-sized chicken pieces are seared and flavored with garlic, lemon zest, and butter, then served over creamy Parmesan-coated linguine. It’s a perfect quick weeknight dinner packed with bright citrus flavors and hearty protein.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Bites:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
For the Parmesan Linguine:
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the cooked linguine aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the lemon garlic sauce: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet. Add butter and minced garlic to the empty side and sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice, then toss everything together with the chicken and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Prepare the Parmesan linguine sauce: In a separate skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cooked linguine, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water as needed to create a light, creamy sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the Parmesan linguine and top with the lemon garlic chicken bites. Garnish with extra parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Add a handful of spinach to the pasta at the end for extra greens and nutrition.
- Substitute chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful chicken bites.
- For some heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes when cooking the chicken or pasta.
