GARLIC BUTTER FETTUCCINE WITH CHICKEN ZUCCHINI

It’s so buttery and creamy with a garlicky kick! Lemon-herb chicken is used, along with crisp-tender Zucchini.

Garlic. Butter. Parmesan. Heavy cream. Pasta. Let’s call it what it is. It’s not diet food. It’s unhealthy. This is pure comfort food, with crisp-tender Zucchini for a bit of balance. It’s perfection, really.

You can also easily replace the chicken with shrimp or remove it completely to make this a meatless dish. You decide.

There are two things you need to do.

1. Use freshly grated Parmesan Cheese. Avoid the green can.

2. Add extra Parmesan to your dish.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces fettuccine
• Two skinless and boneless chicken breasts
• 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
• To taste, add Kosher Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper
• Divide two tablespoons of olive oil into equal parts.
• Juice of one lemon
• Two zucchini, sliced
• Yellow squash, one sliced
• Fresh parsley leaves, two tablespoons
• 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter
• Three cloves garlic, minced
• You can add more heavy cream to your taste.
• Half a teaspoon of dried basil
• Half a teaspoon of dried oregano
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Half a cup of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
• Fresh parsley leaves, two tablespoons

Instructions

• Cook pasta in a large pot with salted boiling water according to the package directions. Drain well.
• Season the chicken with Italian seasoning and season it with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Grill pan on medium heat with one tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chicken and cook it, flipping it once, for about 5-6 minutes per side. Add lemon juice. Keep warm and set aside.
• Add the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil to the grill pan. Add the Zucchini and squash to a grill pan in one layer. Cook until both sides are charred and beginning to soften (about 2 minutes on each side). Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside and warm.
• Melt butter over medium heat. Stir frequently while adding garlic and cooking for 1-2 minutes.
• Whisk in the heavy cream, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook while whisking continuously until the ingredients are incorporated. This should take about 1-2 minutes. Stir in Parmesan for about 1-2 minutes until it is slightly thickened. If the mixture becomes too thick, you can add more heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Mix in the pasta and toss gently.
• Serve immediately with zucchini and chicken, garnished if you wish, with parsley.