Description
Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce, Parmesan cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta. This family-friendly meal balances rich and tangy flavors with the freshness of garlic and parsley, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces dried pasta (any shape)
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup Parmesan (grated)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a saucepan, bring water to a boil and salt it generously. Add the dried pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Make the sauce base: Push the cooked chicken to the sides of the pan and melt the butter in the center. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add cream and lemon: Pour in the heavy cream and lemon juice, stirring or whisking continuously to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Then add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it fully melts into the sauce.
- Adjust sauce consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of reserved pasta water to loosen it up, whisking to blend evenly.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Add the cooked pasta to the pan and mix thoroughly to coat the pasta with the sauce and evenly distribute the chicken pieces. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and lemon zest over the top for added flavor and presentation before serving.
Notes
- This recipe is a one-pan meal, which makes for easy prep and minimal cleanup.
- Use any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti.
- For a zestier lemon flavor, add extra lemon zest or a splash of lemon juice before serving.
- If you want a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less thick and creamy.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency easily.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 443
- 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
