Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Spaghetti: A Simple, Zesty Weeknight Dinner
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Spaghetti. This dish perfectly balances the richness of a silky heavy cream sauce with the bright, vibrant kick of fresh lemon juice and savory Parmesan.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a restaurant-quality dinner to impress, this one-pan-inspired pasta is packed with flavor, tender chicken, and fresh spinach.
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti: 250g
- Chicken Breasts: 2 (cut into bite-size pieces)
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Spinach: 2 cups (fresh)
- Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup (grated)
- Butter: 1 tbsp
- Oil: 2 tbsp
- Aromatics: 1 diced onion & 3 chopped garlic cloves
- Seasoning: 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cayenne
- Finishing Touches: Juice of 1 small lemon, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season your bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water mixed with some oil until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the pan.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped garlic and fry until fragrant and slightly browned. Toss in the diced onion and sauté for about 2 minutes until translucent.
- Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, and cayenne to create a rich, spicy base. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Fold in the fresh spinach and return the cooked chicken to the pan.
- Add the Parmesan, fresh parsley, and lemon juice. Give it a taste and adjust the salt as needed.
- Add your cooked spaghetti to the sauce, tossing well to ensure every strand is coated in that creamy lemon butter goodness.
Pro Tip
For an extra glossy sauce, add a splash of the starchy pasta water to the pan right before mixing in the spaghetti!