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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Submerge pasta in generously salted water, cooking until perfectly al dente. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- 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.
- Aromatic Base: In the identical skillet, dissolve butter and introduce minced garlic, releasing its intense fragrance for roughly 60 seconds.
- 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.
- Cheese Integration: Gradually whisk Parmesan cheese into the simmering liquid, creating a silky, luxurious sauce that coats the back of a spoon.
- 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.
- 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