Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 clove garlic, minced)
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
¼ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning (optional)
For the Pasta & Sauce:
8 oz pasta (fettuccine, linguine, penne, or your favorite)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
½ cup chicken broth
Salt & black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Add‑Ins / Variations:
Red pepper flakes for heat
Spinach or baby spinach
Peas, asparagus tips, or mushrooms
Sun-dried tomatoes
A splash of white wine in the sauce
Introduction
If you’re craving comfort food recipes that are simple, flavorful, and perfect for a busy weeknight meal, this lemon garlic butter chicken with creamy Parmesan pasta is going to become your new go-to dish. It’s rich without being heavy, flavorful without being fussy, and the kind of dish you can proudly serve to family or friends. The combination of juicy garlic butter chicken and creamy pasta is irresistible. This recipe brings together multiple high CPC keyword searches like garlic butter chicken recipe, creamy pasta recipes, one pan meals, and chicken pasta dinner ideas — all into one delicious pot. In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore everything from how to make garlic butter chicken properly, to making a silky Parmesan cream sauce, and even offer a few upgrades to personalize the meal to your tastes. Whether you’re a beginner cook or an experienced home chef, this step-by-step tutorial will help you master this easy dinner recipe.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken for Pasta
Start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels — this helps get a nice golden-brown sear on the chicken. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add your seasoned chicken breasts. Cook for 4–6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Once golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F), remove the chicken and let it rest. While the chicken rests, you’ll build a lemon garlic butter sauce in the same pan. Melt butter, then add garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest to deglaze the pan. This garlic butter chicken recipe delivers intense flavor in just a few minutes and makes the ideal protein to pair with creamy pasta.
Making the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
While your chicken is resting, start cooking the pasta. Boil in salted water until just al dente. Reserve some pasta water, then drain. In your skillet, add more butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to thicken, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together. If the sauce gets too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. For added flavor and a silky finish, you can stir in a little extra butter or another handful of Parmesan cheese.
Serving the Chicken and Pasta
Slice your rested lemon garlic butter chicken into strips or bite-sized chunks. Plate the creamy pasta, top it with the chicken, then spoon some extra sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil, extra Parmesan, and a twist of black pepper. This is one of those high protein dinner recipes that tastes gourmet but takes less than 30 minutes to make. Serve with garlic bread, a green salad, or roasted vegetables for a full weeknight dinner experience.
Tips for Success
Use high-quality, freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Let your chicken rest before slicing — this locks in moisture. Avoid overcooking the pasta — slightly undercook it and let it finish in the sauce. Use the starchy pasta water to adjust sauce texture. Always taste and adjust seasonings before serving — sometimes the simplest creamy pasta recipes can be elevated with just a little extra salt or pepper.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Mushroom Chicken Alfredo Style: Add sautéed mushrooms to the sauce.
Spinach Parmesan Pasta: Stir in fresh spinach or arugula at the end for a healthy green boost.
Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta: Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes for tang and texture.
One Pan Creamy Chicken Pasta: Cook the pasta directly in the sauce for a true one pan meal.
White Wine Cream Sauce: Deglaze the pan with white wine before adding cream for an extra layer of flavor.
Make-Ahead & Storage
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can make components ahead of time. Cook the chicken and refrigerate. Make the sauce separately and combine with pasta when ready to serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore creaminess. Avoid microwaving for long periods, as it may cause the sauce to separate.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Calories: 600–700
Protein: 35–45g
Fat: 30–40g
Carbs: 45–60g
Fiber: 2–4g
Sodium: 600–800mg depending on added salt and cheese
This is a high protein dinner recipe that balances rich flavor with satisfying carbs and healthy fats, making it one of the most well-rounded comfort food recipes you can prepare at home.
Pairing Ideas
Garlic Bread or Cheese Breadsticks
A light arugula or Caesar salad
Steamed or roasted broccoli, green beans, or asparagus
Lemon vinaigrette salad to cut richness
Sparkling water with lemon or a crisp glass of white wine
Even a simple cucumber-tomato salad can add freshness to contrast the creamy chicken pasta dish.
Why This Dish Is a High CPC Magnet
This lemon garlic butter chicken with creamy Parmesan pasta brings together multiple popular Google AdSense search terms — including creamy pasta recipes, garlic butter chicken recipe, comfort food recipes, and one pan meals. It’s not only a reader favorite but also a search engine favorite. People constantly look for weeknight meals that are satisfying, easy to make, and adaptable. With high protein content, delicious flavors, and plenty of customizable options, this recipe checks all the boxes for what content creators need to attract high-CPC traffic while giving real value to their audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dairy-free? Yes, substitute olive oil for butter and use coconut cream or a plant-based heavy cream. Use nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan.
Can I use chicken thighs? Yes, boneless skinless thighs stay juicier and work perfectly. Adjust cooking time.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly? The chicken can be frozen separately. The pasta and sauce are better enjoyed fresh, but can be frozen if needed.
What if my sauce separates? Turn off the heat, stir in a bit of reserved pasta water or cream slowly while whisking.
Can I add vegetables? Absolutely — peas, mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, and sun-dried tomatoes are excellent additions.
Estimated Prep & Cook Time
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
This makes 3–4 generous servings, ideal for families or meal-prepping individuals. Scale easily by doubling ingredients for more people.
Lighter Options for Special Diets
Keto Version: Skip the pasta, serve the garlic butter chicken over cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles. Use heavy cream and full-fat Parmesan.
Low Fat Version: Use milk instead of cream, reduce butter, and skip extra cheese.
Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free pasta and check that all other ingredients (broth, cheese) are gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
There are countless easy dinner recipes online, but few are as satisfying and adaptable as this lemon garlic butter chicken with creamy Parmesan pasta. It’s a meal that covers all the essentials: high protein, rich creamy texture, bold flavor, quick preparation, and elegant presentation. With the right ingredients and a few technique tips, this recipe can become your secret weapon for impressing guests, treating yourself, or just making Tuesday night dinners more enjoyable. By using top AdSense keywords like creamy pasta recipes, garlic butter chicken recipe, comfort food recipes, and high protein dinner recipes, this article isn’t just great for home cooks—it’s also a powerful piece of SEO-friendly content.