Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Vibrant surf-and-turf pasta with tender chicken, succulent shrimp, and zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce. Serves 4 in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 8 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta

03 - 12 oz linguine or spaghetti

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
06 - Zest of 1 lemon
07 - Juice of 1 lemon
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Sauce & Fats

09 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
12 - 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

16 - Lemon wedges
17 - Extra chopped parsley

# How to Prepare:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Pat shrimp and chicken dry with paper towels. Season both generously with salt and pepper.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Add another 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Place shrimp in the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer to the plate with chicken.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Sauté shallot and garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
06 - Deglaze the skillet with white wine if using, allowing it to reduce for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 minutes.
07 - Return chicken and shrimp to the pan along with cooked pasta. Toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve desired consistency.
08 - Stir in chopped parsley and red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
09 - Transfer to serving bowls or plates. Garnish with lemon wedges and additional fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something you'd order on date night
  • Chicken and shrimp mean everyone wins, no negotiating around the table
  • Lemon cuts through the rich butter, making each bite feel bright instead of heavy
02 -
  • Don't crowd the pan when cooking chicken and shrimp, or they'll steam instead of sear
  • Garlic burns faster than you think, keep the heat medium once aromatics hit the pan
  • That reserved pasta water is your secret weapon for silky, restaurant-quality sauce
03 -
  • Patting proteins dry is the most skipped step that makes the biggest difference
  • Room temperature butter melts more evenly for a smoother sauce
  • Grate your lemon zest before juicing, it's much harder to zest a squeezed lemon
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