Seared chicken combined with spaghetti in brown butter, lemon, and fresh herbs. A quick, elegant Italian-American dinner ready in 35 minutes.
# What You 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 & Finishing
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - Extra lemon wedges for serving
# How-To:
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 kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sear for 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. Monitor carefully to prevent burning.
05 - Add minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and lemon zest to the brown butter. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Add cooked spaghetti, seared chicken, lemon juice, and half the Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss thoroughly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a glossy sauce.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in fresh parsley and remaining Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Plate immediately and serve with extra lemon wedges.
