Brown Butter Lemon Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

Golden chicken paired with al dente spaghetti in a rich brown butter sauce with zesty lemon and Parmesan.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

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

→ Pasta

05 - 12 oz dried spaghetti

→ Sauce

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

→ For Searing & Finishing

12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
13 - Extra lemon wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
02 - Season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and let it melt. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until butter foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma (about 3 minutes). Watch carefully to avoid burning.
05 - Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Add cooked spaghetti, chicken, lemon juice, and half the Parmesan to the skillet. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a glossy sauce.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in parsley and remaining Parmesan. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The brown butter creates this incredible nutty richness that makes everything taste expensive
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The lemon cuts through the richness so every bite feels perfectly balanced
02 -
  • Brown butter goes from perfect to burned in seconds, so once it turns golden and smells nutty remove it from heat immediately
  • The pasta water is crucial for creating that glossy sauce that clings to every strand
  • Room temperature chicken sears more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
03 -
  • Use a light-colored skillet so you can actually see the butter turning golden brown
  • Zest the lemon before juicing it, much easier when the fruit is still whole
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking so it stays juicy when you slice it
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