Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Parmesan Linguine recipe offers a flavorful and quick meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender chicken bites are cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of spice, then tossed together with lemony linguine and freshly grated Parmesan for a satisfying and bright pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Instructions
- Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Heat butter and oil: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of butter along with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, preparing for chicken cooking.
- Season and cook chicken: Season the diced chicken with salt and black pepper. Add it to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is golden-brown and cooked through.
- Prepare garlic butter sauce: Lower the heat to medium, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic releases its aroma but does not brown.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, pour the lemon juice over, and add chopped parsley. Toss everything together thoroughly so the cheese melts slightly and the pasta is coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve warm: Plate the dish immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired for added flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- To prevent garlic from burning, sauté it on medium heat and watch carefully.
- If you prefer less spice, omit the red pepper flakes or reduce the amount.
- For a creamier sauce, add a splash of pasta cooking water while tossing with the pasta.
- Freshly grated Parmesan is preferred for the best flavor and melting quality.
- This recipe can easily be doubled to feed more people.
