Description
Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta is a delightful, easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken and al dente pasta enveloped in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce. This recipe delivers a burst of flavor with zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs, making it an ideal choice for both busy weeknights and special gatherings. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a meal that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Customize it with your favorite vegetables for added nutrition, or simply enjoy its creamy goodness as is.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb pasta of choice (bucatini, spaghetti, pappardelle, or fettuccine)
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (plus more for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest plus 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente; reserve 1 cup of water before draining.
- Season the chicken with olive oil, lemon zest, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes). Remove and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions in butter until softened. Add minced garlic; cook until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth; bring to a simmer until slightly thickened (5-6 minutes). Mix in parsley, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and juice.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce and add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency. Slice the chicken and serve on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg