Brown Butter Lemon Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Tender seared chicken with spaghetti in nutty brown butter, bright lemon, and fresh herbs. Italian-American comfort food.

# Components:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), sliced 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 ounces dried spaghetti

→ Sauce

06 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (about 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 and Finishing

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

# Preparation Steps:

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 to 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, approximately 3 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
05 - Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Sauté for 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.
08 - Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like a restaurant splurge but uses pantry staples and one skillet.
  • The brown butter adds a nutty depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well with a splash of water and a quick toss in the pan.
02 -
  • Brown butter can tip into burnt butter in under 10 seconds, so stay close and pull it off the heat the moment it smells nutty.
  • Adding pasta water isn't optional, the starch is what turns butter and cheese into an actual sauce instead of a greasy puddle.
03 -
  • Use a light colored skillet when browning butter so you can see the color change and catch it before it burns.
  • Zest the lemon before you juice it, it's nearly impossible to zest a juiced lemon and you'll thank yourself for planning ahead.
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