Lemon Chicken Pasta
Brighten up your weeknight dinner rotation with this vibrant Lemon Chicken Pasta, a perfect fusion of creamy, zesty, and savory flavors. Juicy, pan-seared chicken breasts are combined with al dente spaghetti and tossed in a luscious lemon-cream sauce infused with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh lemon zest. A splash of chicken broth adds depth, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley delivers a final burst of freshness. This easy-to-make pasta dish comes together in just 40 minutes, making it a delightful and satisfying meal for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Try this refreshing twist on classic creamy pasta and bring some sunny flavor to your table! Keywords: lemon chicken pasta, creamy pasta recipe, quick dinner idea, lemon cream sauce.
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Ingredients
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 0.25 cup lemon juice
- 0.75 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the chicken. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
Step 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board.
Step 4
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 5
Add the chicken broth and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream.
Step 6
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth.
Step 7
Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips. Add the pasta, sliced chicken, and butter to the skillet, tossing to coat everything evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Step 8
Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.
Step 9
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately for a fresh, zesty dish.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1173.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2374.0 |
| Total Fat 139.9g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 66.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 577.8mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3648.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 115.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 8.2g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 3.9g | |
| Protein 146.6g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 3.5IU | 0% |
| Calcium 574.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 7.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1351.3mg | 0% |
Source of Calories