Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender chicken and shrimp in a vibrant lemon-garlic butter sauce with linguine. A elegant surf-and-turf dinner ready in 45 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a 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 with salt and pepper.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken 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. Add shrimp and cook 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.
06 - Deglaze with white wine if using and let reduce for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Simmer for 2 minutes.
07 - Return chicken and shrimp to the skillet along with cooked pasta. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
08 - Stir in parsley and red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
09 - Divide pasta among serving bowls. Garnish with lemon wedges and additional fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the lemon butter sauce clings to every strand of pasta makes each forkful feel like a special occasion even on a Tuesday
  • Both shrimp and chicken stay perfectly tender because they cook separately and join the party at the end
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery fast so pull them the moment they turn pink and opaque
  • The pasta water is your secret weapon for transforming melted butter into a creamy emulsified sauce
03 -
  • Room temperature shrimp and chicken sear more evenly than cold from the fridge
  • A splash of pasta water can fix a broken sauce instantly
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