Description
Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious one-pan dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce, perfectly tossed with your favorite pasta. This garlicky, tangy, and cheesy pasta meal is ideal for a family dinner and can be ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Recipe Ingredients
- 12 ounces dried pasta (any shape)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup parmesan, grated
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the dried pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Add to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken to the sides of the pan.
- Prepare the sauce: Add butter to the pan and melt it. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and lemon juice, whisking to combine into a smooth sauce.
- Add cheese to sauce: Stir grated parmesan into the cream sauce until melted and well incorporated. If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency while whisking.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy lemon sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and optional lemon zest for a bright, fresh finish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- This dish is a family-friendly, quick meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti.
- Adding reserved pasta water helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to 165°F (74°C).
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 443 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 377 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
