Bright & Tangy Zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand quick, flavorful solutions that satisfy hunger and delight taste buds with zesty lemon garlic chicken pasta.

Bold Mediterranean ingredients dance together in this simple yet elegant dish.

Tender chicken pieces infuse every bite with robust, tangy notes.

Perfectly cooked pasta serves as a delicious canvas for bright citrus and aromatic garlic.

Fresh herbs scattered on top add a vibrant pop of color and freshness.

The entire meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a perfect solution for busy cooks.

Savor each forkful and let this delectable recipe become your new go-to dinner favorite.

Serve Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta with Greens or Bread

• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped parsley, basil, or chives on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor that brightens the entire dish.
• Bread Pairing Perfection: Serve with crusty garlic bread or toasted Italian bread to soak up the creamy lemon sauce and add a delightful crunch.
• Wine Companion: Complement the dish with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the lemony brightness and cut through the richness.
• Side Salad Harmony: Add a light mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the creamy pasta and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich chicken sauce.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for 35 days, keeping the chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor profile.
• Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore sauce's creamy consistency, preventing dry or separated ingredients.
• Pack meal in freezer-safe containers, removing air pockets. Freeze up to 3 weeks, thawing overnight in refrigerator before reheating slowly to prevent sauce separation.
• Prepare chicken and sauce separately from pasta to extend refrigerator life and maintain optimal texture when reassembling for future meals.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients That Bring Out the Best in Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that creates the hearty base of the dish, best when fresh and trimmed of excess fat.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, salty depth and creamy texture to elevate the sauce's complexity.

• Pasta: Provides comforting foundation for the creamy sauce, choose pasta with ridges to catch more sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps create smooth cooking surface and adds subtle fruity undertone.
• Butter: Enriches flavor and helps develop a velvety sauce texture.

• Garlic: Brings sharp, aromatic punch that complements the creamy sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth and helps create silky sauce consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth sauce with rich mouthfeel.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, tangy counterpoint to creamy elements.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that add complexity and Mediterranean touch.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting other ingredients' flavors.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides fresh, green finish and visual appeal.

Tools to Get Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Cooked Just Right

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and preparing the creamy sauce.
• Pasta pot: Needed to boil and cook pasta perfectly with salted water.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and tossing pasta with chicken.
• Cutting board: Useful for prepping garlic and zesting lemon.
• Sharp knife: Required for slicing lemon and chopping parsley.
• Measuring cups: Helps measure cream, broth, and other liquid ingredients accurately.
• Colander: Drains pasta after cooking.
• Grater: Helps zest lemon and grate Parmesan cheese.
• Tongs: Helpful for handling and removing chicken from skillet.

How to Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta with Balance

• Boil Pasta

Cook pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and set to the side.

• Sizzle Chicken

Sprinkle chicken with seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken until beautifully golden and completely done. Pull chicken out and keep warm.

• Create Fragrant Base

Melt butter in the same skillet. Toss in garlic and let its aroma fill the kitchen.

• Craft Silky Sauce

Pour in cream and broth. Splash lemon juice and add zest with Italian herbs. Let the mixture bubble gently.

• Blend Cheese Magic

Stir Parmesan into the sauce until it transforms into a smooth, creamy mixture.

• Combine and Finish

Return chicken to the skillet, letting it warm through. Add cooked pasta and toss everything together until each bite is perfectly coated.

• Serve with Flair

Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for a bright, zesty finish.

Tweaks to Sauce and Spice in Chicken Pasta Dishes

• Reserve a bit of pasta water before draining to help create a silkier, more cohesive sauce if the mixture seems too thick.
• Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta options like chickpea, rice, or quinoa pasta for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Prepare the chicken and sauce in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator. Reheat gently and combine with freshly cooked pasta just before serving to maintain optimal texture.
• Replace chicken with shrimp, salmon, or tofu for different protein alternatives that work beautifully with the creamy lemon garlic sauce.
• Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version of this delicious dish.

Zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comfort meets zest in this mouthwatering Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta, where silky noodles embrace tender chicken in a rich, aromatic sauce. Hearty and quick to prepare, this dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor that will delight you at first bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne work well)
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsps)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• Extra lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Submerge pasta in generously salted water, cooking until perfectly al dente. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Chicken Searing: Season chicken with robust salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame. Sauté chicken until golden and completely cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
3. Aromatic Base: In the identical skillet, dissolve butter and introduce minced garlic, releasing its intense fragrance for roughly 60 seconds.
4. Sauce Creation: Stream heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet. Incorporate fresh lemon juice, delicate zest, and Italian seasoning. Elevate to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld harmoniously.
5. Cheese Integration: Gradually whisk Parmesan cheese into the simmering liquid, creating a silky, luxurious sauce that coats the back of a spoon.
6. Final Assembly: Reintroduce seared chicken to the skillet, allowing it to warm through and absorb the creamy essence. Incorporate cooked pasta, tossing meticulously to ensure every strand is lavishly dressed in the velvety sauce.
7. Presentation: Plate the pasta, garnishing with fresh parsley and optional lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy accent.

Notes

• Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Adjust cream sauce thickness by adding more chicken broth if too thick or simmering longer if too thin, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
• Toss pasta with a little olive oil after draining to keep noodles separated and prevent sticking before adding to the sauce.
• Toast garlic briefly to release aromatic oils without burning, creating a more complex and rich flavor profile in the final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg