Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Parmesan Linguine
Creamy, juicy, and bursting with bright lemon and garlic flavor, this dish delivers comfort and freshness in every forkful.
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Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Skillet
- Pot
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed about 1 lemon
- 1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1/2 to 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated for serving
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels for better browning.
- Cook the linguine in a pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly so it doesn’t brown.
- Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season with lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on the outside and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce seems dry, add 1–2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Stir in fresh parsley and remove from heat. Taste and adjust salt or lemon as needed.
- Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
Pat chicken dry before cooking for better texture. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.