Introduction

This Lemon Chicken Pasta is a bright, creamy dish perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts tossed with pasta in a zesty lemon and Parmesan sauce make for a flavorful, comforting meal.

Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

350 g pasta of choice
1 tsp sea salt flakes
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp water
40 g unsalted butter
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp flour
1 cup chicken stock
2 cups heavy cream
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Lemon wedges, to serve
Fresh parsley, to serve

Instructions

Step 1: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until 1–2 minutes before al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and Italian seasoning. Season chicken breasts evenly on both sides with this spice blend.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until fully cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
Step 4: Add water to the hot pan to loosen any browned bits, then melt butter in the pan. Stir in minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Step 5: Sprinkle flour into the pan and stir continuously to form a paste. Gradually pour in chicken stock and heavy cream while stirring, then simmer until sauce thickens.
Step 6: Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips.
Step 7: Remove the pan from heat. Whisk in fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy. Add the cooked pasta and toss well to coat evenly.
Step 8: Serve the pasta topped with the sliced chicken, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges on the side for extra zest.

Tips & Variations

Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free without compromising flavor.
Add a handful of spinach or peas for a pop of color and additional nutrients.
For extra tang, sprinkle some lemon zest into the sauce along with the juice.
Substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock to make it lighter and vegetarian-friendly (omit chicken, add mushrooms or tofu instead).

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use another type of pasta?

Yes, this recipe works well with many pasta shapes like penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni. Choose your favorite or whatever you have on hand.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?

Chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) or be firm and opaque in the center with no pink remaining.

Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 104 reviews

A creamy and zesty Lemon Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken breasts in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and finished with fresh parmesan and parsley. This dish balances comforting richness with bright citrus notes, making it an irresistible weeknight dinner.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta and Chicken

350 g pasta of choice
1 tsp sea salt flakes
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp water

For the Sauce

40 g unsalted butter
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp flour
1 cup chicken stock
2 cups heavy cream
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup freshly grated parmesan

To Serve

Lemon wedges
Fresh parsley

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it is just 1–2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix the sea salt flakes, black pepper, sweet paprika, and Italian seasoning. Rub this seasoning blend evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts to enhance their flavor.
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 2–3 minutes per side or until they are cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
Prepare the Sauce Base: Pour 2 tablespoons of water into the pan to loosen any flavorful browned bits. Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour into the pan and stir continuously to create a roux or paste. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock and heavy cream, ensuring no lumps form. Simmer the sauce gently until it thickens to a creamy consistency, stirring frequently.
Slice the Chicken: While the sauce simmers, slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips for easy serving and mixing.
Finish the Sauce and Combine: Remove the pan from heat. Whisk in the fresh lemon juice and freshly grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat each strand or piece with the luscious sauce.
Serve: Plate the sauced pasta and top with the sliced chicken strips. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges to add a bright, fresh finishing touch.

Notes

For best results, do not overcook the pasta; it will continue to cook slightly when tossed in the sauce.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water or chicken stock to loosen it.
Freshly grated parmesan adds better flavor and melts more smoothly than pre-grated cheese.
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less rich.
Serve this dish immediately for the best texture; leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and use gluten-free pasta.

Keywords: lemon chicken pasta, creamy lemon pasta, chicken pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner, creamy pasta sauce, Italian chicken pasta