Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

from pinchandswirl.com
30 min

A crowd pleasing pasta that's weeknight easy and dinner party elegant!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces dried spaghetti (or other long, thin pasta)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 5 large garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more)
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite size pieces)
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 large lemon (juice and zest)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or more)
  • 2 ounces parmesan cheese (freshly grated, optional)

Directions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until firm to the bite (al dente), about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper; cook and stir until chicken is just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

  3. 3

    Once you've drained the pasta, set skillet with chicken mixture over medium heat. Add drained, cooked pasta and 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water; toss to coat. Cook and stir until heated through, adding more pasta water if pasta seems too dry.

  4. 4

    Remove pasta from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and zest, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl or platter; top with grated parmesan cheese and serve.