Introduction

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta is a delightful, easy-to-make meal that bursts with flavor. Tender chicken bites are pan-seared to perfection in a rich garlic butter sauce, accented with bright notes of fresh lemon. Paired with a comforting bed of Parmesan pasta, this dish is a harmonious blend of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors. Topped with fragrant lemon zest and fresh parsley, it’s the perfect dinner for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend meal. The garlic butter sauce, with its slight lemony twist, elevates this dish to a new level of deliciousness without requiring hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Bites:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chicken broth (optional, for deglazing the pan)

For the Parmesan Pasta:

• 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (for thinning the sauce if necessary)

For the Topping:

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

For the Dressing:

• Lemon garlic butter sauce (from the chicken)

Preparation:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

• In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta. Set aside.

Step 2: Season and Prepare the Chicken

• In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to coat evenly.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

• In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of butter.
• Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
• Stir in the lemon zest and the juice of 1 lemon, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (deglaze with 1/4 cup chicken broth if needed).
• Return the chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the lemon garlic butter sauce until it’s well coated and heated through.
• Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4: Prepare the Parmesan Pasta

• While the chicken is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat.
• Add 1 clove of minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it in the garlic butter.
• Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine and melt the cheese into the pasta.
• For a creamier pasta, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream at this stage. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

• Divide the Parmesan pasta onto serving plates and top with the lemon garlic butter chicken bites.
• Garnish with fresh lemon zest and chopped parsley for a burst of freshness.
• Drizzle any remaining lemon garlic butter sauce from the chicken skillet over the pasta and chicken.

Cooking Notes:

• Chicken Thighs Option: You can substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
• Extra Lemon Flavor: For a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the chicken sauce.
• Garlic Lovers: If you’re a garlic fan, feel free to increase the garlic quantity in both the chicken and pasta for extra depth of flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta alongside a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli for a well-rounded meal.
• Garlic bread or crusty baguette would be excellent sides to help soak up the flavorful garlic butter sauce.

Tips:

• Pasta Choice: You can swap out traditional pasta with whole wheat or even low-carb options like zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles for a healthier version.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta if you’re following a gluten-free diet.
• Leftovers: This dish stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it from drying out.

Prep Time:

• 15 minutes

Cooking Time:

• 20 minutes

Total Time:

• 35 minutes

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 580
• Protein: 38g
• Sodium: 720mg

Conclusion

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta is the ultimate comfort meal that delivers on flavor without much effort. The combination of tender, juicy chicken bites tossed in a buttery lemon garlic sauce with creamy Parmesan pasta creates a perfect balance of richness and freshness. Topped with zesty lemon and fresh parsley, this dish is an instant hit for family dinners, special occasions, or even meal prep. Easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, this recipe is sure to become a go-to in your dinner rotation!

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Parmesan Pasta Recipe

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• Author: Imili Johnson
• Total Time: 35 minutes

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken Bites:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chicken broth (optional, for deglazing the pan)

For the Parmesan Pasta:

• 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (for thinning the sauce if necessary)

For the Topping:

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

For the Dressing:

• Lemon garlic butter sauce (from the chicken)

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

• In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta. Set aside.

Step 2: Season and Prepare the Chicken

• In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to coat evenly.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

• In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of butter.
• Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
• Stir in the lemon zest and the juice of 1 lemon, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (deglaze with 1/4 cup chicken broth if needed).
• Return the chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the lemon garlic butter sauce until it’s well coated and heated through.
• Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4: Prepare the Parmesan Pasta

• While the chicken is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat.
• Add 1 clove of minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it in the garlic butter.
• Gradually sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine and melt the cheese into the pasta.
• For a creamier pasta, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream at this stage. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

• Divide the Parmesan pasta onto serving plates and top with the lemon garlic butter chicken bites.
• Garnish with fresh lemon zest and chopped parsley for a burst of freshness.
• Drizzle any remaining lemon garlic butter sauce from the chicken skillet over the pasta and chicken.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories: 580
• Sodium: 720mg
• Protein: 38g