Description
Succulent garlic butter chicken dances with zesty lemon parmesan pasta, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors. Creamy, rich textures and aromatic herbs promise a delightful culinary journey that satisfies comfort food cravings with Mediterranean-inspired elegance.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
Cooking Liquids and Fats:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or white wine)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pasta Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) pasta water (reserved)
- Salt
- Black pepper
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
- Additional Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath for the pasta, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge the pasta and cook until it reaches a perfect al dente texture. Carefully extract 1/4 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining and setting the pasta aside.
- Meticulously pat the chicken pieces dry using absorbent towels. Liberally dust with a harmonious blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
- Ignite a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Gracefully introduce the seasoned chicken, allowing each side to transform into a golden-brown masterpiece. Ensure thorough cooking, then transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.
- Reduce the skillet’s temperature to medium. Melt butter until it shimmers, then introduce minced garlic. Allow the aromatics to dance and release their fragrant essence.
- Deglaze the skillet with a splash of chicken broth, carefully lifting the caramelized remnants from the pan’s surface. Splash in bright lemon juice, creating a vibrant sauce that will embrace the chicken.
- In a separate cooking vessel, combine olive oil and butter. Awaken the garlic and optional red pepper flakes, creating a fragrant base for the pasta.
- Incorporate lemon juice, grated Parmesan, and the reserved pasta water. Gently coat the cooked pasta, ensuring each strand is luxuriously dressed. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Artfully arrange the pasta on serving plates, crowning it with the succulent garlic butter chicken. Scatter fresh parsley, provide lemon wedges, and sprinkle additional Parmesan as a final flourish.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Pat chicken thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in juicy tenderness.
- Seasoning Layering: Use a balanced blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create depth of flavor across the chicken’s surface.
- Heat Control: Maintain medium-high heat when searing chicken to achieve perfect caramelization without burning the meat.
- Sauce Rescue: Reserved pasta water acts as a magical thickening agent, helping the Parmesan sauce cling beautifully to pasta strands.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
- Protein Flexibility: Replace chicken with firm tofu or white fish for a versatile vegetarian or seafood alternative that absorbs the garlic butter sauce wonderfully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg