Brown Butter Lemon Chicken Pasta (Printer Friendly)

Golden spaghetti with chicken in rich brown butter lemon sauce

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz), cut into strips
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Pasta

05 - 12 oz dried spaghetti

→ Sauce

06 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (approximately 2 tablespoons juice)
08 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

→ For Searing & Finishing

12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - Extra lemon wedges for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining.
02 - Season chicken strips evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and let melt. Continue cooking, swirling pan occasionally, until butter foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 3 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
05 - Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest to the brown butter. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Add cooked spaghetti, chicken, and lemon juice to the skillet. Add half the Parmesan and toss well, incorporating reserved pasta water as needed to create a glossy sauce that coats the pasta.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in parsley and remaining Parmesan. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The brown butter creates this incredible nutty richness that makes every forkful feel indulgent
  • Bright lemon cuts through the richness keeping the dish light and fresh
  • Everything cooks in one skillet meaning less cleanup and more time at the table
02 -
  • Brown butter turns from perfect to burnt in seconds, so have all your ingredients ready before you start
  • The pasta water is crucial for creating a silky, glossy sauce that clings to every strand
  • Let the chicken rest for a couple minutes after searing so it stays juicy when you toss it back in
03 -
  • Room temperature butter browns more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
  • Use a light colored stainless steel skillet so you can actually see the butter change color
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