Brown Butter Lemon Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

Tender seared chicken with spaghetti in nutty brown butter and bright lemon sauce. A simple 35-minute Italian-American favorite.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 oz 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

# 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 -
  • The brown butter creates an incredibly rich, nutty sauce base that feels luxurious but comes together in under 35 minutes
  • Fresh lemon zest and juice cut through the richness, making every bite bright and addictive
02 -
  • Brown butter goes from perfect to burnt quickly, so stay by the stove and watch for those golden brown milk solids and nutty smell
  • The reserved pasta water is essential for creating a silky, emulsified sauce that clings to every strand of spaghetti
03 -
  • Use a light-colored stainless steel or light pan so you can see the butter browning clearly
  • Room temperature chicken sears more evenly, so let it sit out for 15 minutes before cooking
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