Delicious Lemon Parmesan Pasta Chicken (Printer-Friendly)

Linguine with juicy chicken in velvety parmesan cream, finished with lemon zest and fresh herbs.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces dried linguine or spaghetti

→ Chicken

02 - 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend

→ Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

07 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced
10 - 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
11 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

→ Parmesan Cream Sauce

12 - 1 cup heavy cream
13 - 1 cup finely grated aged Parmesan cheese
14 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Finishing and Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - Additional grated Parmesan for serving

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
02 - Toss chicken pieces with kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian herb blend. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken in a single layer and sear until golden brown on each side and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
03 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds. Add lemon zest and juice, scraping the skillet to deglaze.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine. Gradually add Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper, continuing to stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
05 - Add drained linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss with tongs to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water in small increments as needed to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Return seared chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Gently combine with the pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Top with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth, creamy sauce and zest lemons just before using for maximum fragrance.