Description
A bright and creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta that combines tender chicken breasts with zesty lemon, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for a quick and satisfying 25-minute meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine)
- Salt, for boiling water
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (if needed)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve pasta water: Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
- Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, add to skillet, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Remove chicken: Take the cooked chicken out of the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make sauce base: Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add cream and lemon: Stir in heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice, then simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Return pasta and chicken to the skillet, tossing everything together.
- Adjust consistency: Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamier sauce.
- Incorporate cheese: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and cook for 1-2 more minutes until well combined and creamy.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you prefer; fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti work well.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; aim for al dente texture.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps in achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
- Fresh lemon juice and zest add brightness — adjust quantity according to taste.
- Can be garnished with additional herbs like basil or chives for variation.
