Instructions

Cook pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Add linguine; cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water; drain linguine in a colander, and set aside until ready to use.

Make dredging stations:

While linguine cooks, stir together flour and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a shallow bowl. Stir together panko, Italian seasoning, black pepper, 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a separate shallow bowl. Place egg in a third shallow bowl.

Dredge chicken:

Working with 1 piece of chicken at a time, dredge chicken in flour, and shake off excess. Dip in beaten egg, letting excess drip off; dredge in panko mixture to coat, pressing to adhere, as needed. Set chicken aside on a plate. Repeat process with remaining pieces of chicken, flour, egg, and panko mixture. (Discard any remaining flour, egg, and panko mixture.)

Cook zucchini:

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add half of the zucchini evenly spaced in skillet, pressing slightly so surface makes contact with skillet. Cook, undisturbed, until browned in spots, about 1 minute. Flip, and cook on other side, 1 minute. Transfer to a plate, and set aside. Repeat process with remaining zucchini. Wipe skillet clean.

Cook chicken:

Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add 3 pieces of  chicken, and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of chicken registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate; wipe skillet clean. Repeat process with remaining 3 tablespoons oil and remaining 3 pieces chicken; set aside, and keep warm.

Begin sauce:

Add butter to large pot used to cook pasta, and melt over medium-high. Add garlic and onion powder, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add cream and cooking water:

Stir in whipping cream, 1/2 cup reserved cooking water, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer over medium, stirring often.

Add lemon juice and cheese:

Reduce heat to low, and slowly add lemon juice while whisking vigorously, 30 to 45 seconds. Add Parmesan, and cook, whisking constantly, until Parmesan melts and sauce is thick, 2 to 5 minutes.

Finish pasta:

Add linguine, zucchini, and remaining 1 teaspoon lemon zest to pot, and toss to mix evenly.

Slice chicken, and serve:

Slice chicken; divide linguine mixture evenly among bowls, and top evenly with chicken. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.