Let me introduce you to a real showstopper for your next dinner table: Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce. This dish is what happens when you combine tender, golden pan-seared chicken with a glossy, tangy, lemon-spiked garlic butter sauce, then tumble it all together with pasta and crown it with creamy burrata. It’s rich but bright, comforting and fresh, and it cooks up in just about half an hour, making it a weeknight winner that feels worthy of a special occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I absolutely love about Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce is how each ingredient shines—no long list of mysterious add-ins here, just quality kitchen staples that, together, create something greater than the sum of their parts. Here’s the essential lineup for this glorious dinner:
- Spaghetti (12 oz): A classic choice for the perfect twirl, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (2): Lean, juicy, and perfect for soaking up all that lemony sauce.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): For searing the chicken to golden perfection with a hint of richness.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning every layer, bringing out the best in your chicken and pasta.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): The backbone of your lemon butter garlic sauce, giving it a lush, silky texture.
- Garlic cloves, minced (4): For that unmistakable aromatic punch—don’t be shy here!
- Lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Adds zippy, fresh citrus flavor that wakes up the whole dish.
- Fresh lemon juice (2 tablespoons): Gets stirred right into the sauce, balancing out the buttery richness.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): For a subtle little kick—totally up to your heat preference.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/3 cup): Melts into the pasta, adding a nutty, savory depth.
- Fresh parsley, chopped (1/4 cup): Brightens up every bite and gives a fresh green pop.
- Burrata cheese (8 oz / 2 balls): The decadent, creamy finish that makes this pasta so luxurious.
- Extra lemon slices & parsley (for garnish): A beautiful, aromatic touch when serving.
How to Make Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and toss in your spaghetti. Cook until just al dente—this ensures your pasta will soak up all the lemon butter garlic sauce without turning mushy. Before draining, reserve about half a cup of pasta water to help the sauce come together later.
Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry, then season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once shimmering, lay in the chicken breasts and cook until golden on both sides and cooked through (about 5 to 6 minutes per side). Let them rest for a few minutes on a cutting board—this makes slicing easier and keeps the juices where they belong.
Step 3: Make the Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
In the same skillet (hello, easy cleanup!), drop in the butter over medium heat. As it melts, sprinkle in the minced garlic and stir for about a minute until it’s fragrant but not browned. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you want a hint of heat. The kitchen should smell incredible right about now!
Step 4: Toss the Pasta in Sauce
Add your drained spaghetti directly into the skillet with that gorgeous sauce, along with the reserved pasta water. Gently toss everything together, letting the noodles absorb the buttery, lemony goodness. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and parsley, tossing gently until everything is glossy and well-combined.
Step 5: Assemble the Pasta
Slice the rested chicken breasts thinly and pile them over your saucy spaghetti. Tear the burrata balls open and nestle them right on top, letting that creamy center ooze over the noodles. Garnish with extra lemon slices and a dusting of more parsley for good measure. Your Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce is ready to wow!
How to Serve Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
Garnishes
For maximum visual and flavor impact, finish your Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce with extra chopped parsley and a few pretty lemon wedges. A drizzle of good olive oil across the burrata just before serving gives it that irresistible sheen and ties the whole plate together.
Side Dishes
Serve this pasta with a crisp green salad dressed in a lemony vinaigrette; the acid complements the creamy burrata beautifully. Garlic bread or a rustic loaf for mopping up the buttery sauce is never a bad idea, and some lightly roasted vegetables bring welcomed color and crunch to round out your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting, try plating the spaghetti in charming single-serving bowls, nestling a generous scoop of torn burrata in each. Or present the Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce family-style in a large, shallow serving platter—pasta twirled high in the center, topped dramatically with the sliced chicken and clouds of burrata. Garnish with extra herbs and lemon twists for a restaurant-worthy effect.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (lucky you!), simply transfer the Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the burrata separate if possible, to maintain its signature creaminess for when you’re ready to enjoy again.
Freezing
While you can freeze the chicken and spaghetti portion for up to two months, it’s best not to freeze the burrata—its creamy center won’t fare well in the deep chill and can turn grainy. For meal prepping, consider adding fresh burrata after thawing and reheating.
Reheating
Warm the chicken spaghetti gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or a little extra butter to bring back the luscious sauce. Add the burrata just before serving, letting the gentle heat soften it slightly for that decadent, creamy effect all over again.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While traditional spaghetti is classic for this recipe, any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine works wonderfully. Even short shapes like rigatoni will soak up that lemon butter garlic sauce beautifully.
Is there a substitute for burrata?
If you can’t find burrata, fresh mozzarella or even a dollop of ricotta will add that lovely creamy touch. However, burrata has a uniquely creamy interior that makes Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce irresistible.
Can I make this dish ahead for entertaining?
Yes! Cook the pasta and chicken ahead, then toss together with the sauce just before serving. Hold off on adding the burrata until the very end so it stays creamy and luscious for your guests.
How spicy is this recipe?
With the optional red pepper flakes added, there’s just a gentle heat that doesn’t overwhelm. Feel free to leave them out entirely if a milder flavor is more your style or add extra if you love a little kick in your Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce.
Can I use leftover or rotisserie chicken?
For sure! Using rotisserie or grilled leftover chicken is a fantastic shortcut for busy nights, and your Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce will still turn out absolutely delicious.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to wow your own kitchen (and maybe a few lucky friends), give Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce a spot on your table this week. It’s bright, comforting, and a little bit fancy—just the way weeknight dinners should be. I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out!
Print
Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a delightful Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce. This creamy pasta dish is a perfect blend of flavors that will leave you craving more. Tender chicken, al dente spaghetti, and creamy burrata cheese come together in a tangy lemon butter garlic sauce.
Ingredients
Spaghetti:
- 12 oz spaghetti
Chicken:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 8 oz burrata cheese (2 balls)
- Extra lemon slices and parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Boil spaghetti until al dente, drain, and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Cook the Chicken: Season and cook chicken until golden. Slice thinly.
- Prepare the Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce: Melt butter, sauté garlic, add lemon zest, juice, and red pepper flakes. Toss in spaghetti, pasta water, Parmesan, and parsley.
- Assemble: Plate spaghetti, top with chicken, tear burrata over the dish, and garnish with lemon slices and parsley.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken for convenience.
- For added flavor, try adding a splash of white wine in the sauce before incorporating the pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
