Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch (2.5cm) cubes
- 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
- 4 tbsp (56g) unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60ml) dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 2 tbsp (30ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 lb (454g) linguine or spaghetti pasta
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Reserve about 1/2 cup (120ml) of pasta water.
- Season the chicken cubes with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in white wine and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (that's where the flavour lives!).
- Reduce the sauce by half, about 5-7 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Stir in lemon juice and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.