Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Parmesan Linguine

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Bites:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced

2 tablespoons butter, divided

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Linguine:

8 oz linguine pasta

1 tablespoon butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Additional parsley and lemon slices for garnish

Directions:

Cook the Pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Prepare the Chicken Bites:

Season the diced chicken with salt and black pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.

Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in half of the chopped parsley. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Lemon Parmesan Sauce:

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

Pour in the lemon juice and add the reserved pasta water. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.

Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Combine Pasta and Sauce:

Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss to coat in the lemon Parmesan sauce. Return the chicken bites to the skillet and gently toss to combine.

Serve:

Transfer the chicken and linguine to serving plates. Garnish with additional fresh parsley, extra Parmesan cheese, and lemon slices for a burst of freshness.

Nutritional Information:

⏰ Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Kcal: Approximately 550 kcal per serving | 🍽️ Servings: 4 servings