Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

This is a rich, restaurant-style comfort dish with juicy chicken, a buttery garlic lemon sauce, and creamy Parmesan pasta. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant.

Ingredients

For the chicken

2 large chicken breasts (or 4 small fillets)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter
4–5 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of ½ lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
½ cup chicken broth (or water)

For the creamy Parmesan pasta

250–300 g pasta (fettuccine or penne works well)
2 tbsp butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup pasta water (reserved)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente
Reserve ¼ cup pasta water
Drain and set aside

2. Cook the chicken

Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat
Cook chicken 4–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through
Remove and set aside

3. Make lemon garlic butter sauce

In the same pan, reduce heat to medium
Add butter and garlic, sauté for 30–60 seconds
Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest
Stir and let simmer for 2–3 minutes

Return chicken to the pan and coat it in the sauce.

4. Make creamy Parmesan pasta

In a separate pan, melt butter
Add garlic and sauté briefly
Pour in heavy cream and bring to gentle simmer
Add Parmesan cheese gradually, stirring until smooth
Add pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water
Stir until creamy and coated

5. Serve

Plate creamy Parmesan pasta
Top with lemon garlic butter chicken
Spoon extra sauce over the chicken

Tips for best results

Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother sauce
Don’t overcook chicken (keeps it juicy)
Add extra lemon if you like a brighter flavor
Pasta water helps create silky sauce texture

Flavor profile

Rich and creamy from butter and Parmesan
Bright and fresh from lemon
Savory and aromatic from garlic

If you want, I can also give you a one-pan version, a lighter healthy version, or a restaurant-style plating guide.