Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Savory Parmesan Linguine Recipe

Easy Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Parmesan Linguine Recipe

These mouthwatering lemon garlic butter chicken bites dance with incredible flavor across your dinner plate.

Crispy edges promise a delightful crunch in every single bite.

Mediterranean influences shine through the zesty combination of fresh ingredients.

parmesan linguine serves as the perfect companion, catching all those delectable pan juices.

Quick and simple techniques help you craft this restaurant-quality meal in mere minutes.

Succulent chicken pieces mingle with bright citrus notes and rich, velvety butter sauce.

Prepare to wow your taste buds with this irresistible culinary creation that screams comfort and excitement.

Why Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Are So Flavorful

  • Savor Flavor-Packed Comfort: This lemon garlic butter chicken dish delivers an explosion of tangy and rich flavors that instantly comfort and satisfy hungry taste buds.
  • Master Simple Culinary Skills: Perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their cooking game with minimal kitchen techniques, creating a restaurant-quality meal without professional training.
  • Create Quick Family Feast: A crowd-pleasing recipe that brings everyone together with its irresistible combination of tender chicken, zesty sauce, and creamy Parmesan linguine, making mealtime delightful and stress-free.
  • Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows swapping ingredients or adjusting seasonings, making it ideal for personalized dining experiences and accommodating different dietary preferences.

Key Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Main Protein:
  • Chicken: Tender meat pieces that form the base of the main course.
Seasoning and Coating:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers for the chicken.
  • Flour: Light coating that provides extra crispiness to the chicken.
Fat and Flavor Base:
  • Olive Oil: Helps in cooking and provides a smooth cooking medium.
  • Butter: Adds rich, creamy texture and depth of flavor to the sauce.
Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic base for the sauce.
  • Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Adds bright, citrusy notes to balance the richness.
Liquid Components:
  • Chicken Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base for the sauce.
  • Pasta Water: Helps to create a silky, cohesive sauce.
Pasta:
  • Linguine: Classic pasta that absorbs the lemony garlic butter sauce.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty depth to the final dish.
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that provides a bright, green garnish.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Right

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season generously with salt and pepper.

For extra crunch, coat chicken lightly in flour, shaking off any excess powder.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Luxurious Sauce

Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add butter and let it melt completely.

Toss in minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Pour in:
  • Lemon juice
  • Lemon zest
  • Chicken broth

Allow sauce to simmer and develop rich flavors for 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return chicken to skillet. Gently coat each piece in the aromatic sauce.

Let warm for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 5: Cook Perfect Pasta

Boil linguine in salted water until al dente.

Reserve half cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 6: Combine and Elevate

Add linguine to skillet with reserved pasta water.

Gently toss to combine. Sprinkle in:
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice if desired.

Step 7: Plate and Serve

Transfer to serving plates. Top with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley.

Serve immediately while hot and fresh.

Tips to Nail Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Every Time

  • Dredge chicken in flour for an extra crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and adds delightful texture.
  • Keep some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings perfectly to the linguine.
  • Cook garlic briefly to release its aromatic flavor without burning, ensuring a sweet and mellow taste throughout the dish.
  • Use medium-high heat for searing chicken to achieve a beautiful golden color while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
  • Add fresh lemon zest for an intense citrus aroma that brightens the entire dish and complements the rich butter sauce.

Creative Twists on Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

  • Gluten-Free Chicken Bites: Replace flour with gluten-free cornstarch or almond flour for dredging, using gluten-free linguine to make the entire dish celiac-friendly.
  • Herb-Infused Variation: Substitute parsley with fresh basil or thyme, adding a different aromatic profile to the chicken and pasta dish.
  • Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate red pepper flakes or paprika into the chicken seasoning, and add crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired meal.
  • Lighter Protein Option: Swap chicken for grilled shrimp or baked tofu, maintaining the lemon garlic butter sauce while offering a different protein alternative.

Best Pairings for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Select a zesty Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the lemon’s bright acidity and cut through the richness of the butter and Parmesan.

Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish’s creamy texture and enhance the citrus notes.

Serve crusty sourdough or ciabatta toasted with roasted garlic to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy contrast to the tender chicken and linguine.

Prepare grilled asparagus or roasted Brussels sprouts with a light olive oil and sea salt seasoning to add a fresh, green element that supports the meal’s flavor profile.

How to Keep Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites Fresh

  • Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate chicken and pasta to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
  • Wrap chicken and pasta separately in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring airtight seal to prevent freezer burn.
  • Warm chicken and pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir gently until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

  • Why should I dredge the chicken in flour?

Dredging creates a delicate crispy exterior that helps seal in moisture and adds a golden brown color to the chicken, enhancing both texture and flavor.

  • Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute linguine with other long pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine, or even short pasta like penne if you prefer.

  • How do I prevent the garlic from burning?

Cook garlic on medium heat and stir constantly for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant but not browned, which can make it taste bitter.

  • What if my sauce seems too thin?

Reserve some pasta water to help thicken the sauce and create a silky texture that coats the pasta and chicken evenly.

Print
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Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Savory Parmesan Linguine Recipe

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites With Savory Parmesan Linguine Recipe


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4.5 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent lemon garlic butter chicken bites dance alongside creamy parmesan linguine, creating a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of flavors. Crisp herbs and zesty lemon elevate this quick dinner, promising restaurant-quality satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Seasonings and Coating:

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour for light dusting

Cooking Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil

Instructions

  1. Liberally coat chicken pieces with salt and pepper, optionally dusting with a light flour layer for enhanced crispiness.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, carefully sautéing chicken until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
  3. Reduce skillet heat to medium, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing it to become aromatic for roughly 60 seconds.
  4. Incorporate lemon juice, zest, and chicken broth into the skillet, simmering for 1-2 minutes to develop rich flavor profile.
  5. Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, gently coating with sauce and warming for an additional 2 minutes.
  6. Simultaneously, prepare linguine in salted water until perfectly al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  7. Combine linguine with chicken and sauce in the skillet, adding reserved pasta water to create a silky texture.
  8. Fold in grated Parmesan and fresh parsley, adjusting seasoning with extra salt or lemon juice as desired.
  9. Plate the dish, garnishing with additional Parmesan and parsley, serving immediately while hot and fragrant.

Notes

  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and even browning.
  • Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for a richer, more authentic flavor profile.
  • Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular linguine with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
  • Enhance protein content by adding additional chicken or including grilled shrimp for extra variety and nutrition.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 292 kcal
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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