Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Lemon Chicken Pasta is a creamy, tangy dish combining tender chicken breast strips with a luscious lemon-infused sauce, parmesan cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a comforting meal that balances rich flavors with fresh citrus notes, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 350 g pasta of choice
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes (for pasta water)
Chicken & Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes (for seasoning)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 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
Garnish
- Lemon wedges, to serve
- Fresh parsley, to serve
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it is 1–2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season Chicken: In a small bowl, combine sea salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and Italian seasoning. Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with this spice blend.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Pour 2 tablespoons of water into the pan used for the chicken, scraping up any browned bits. Then add the butter and allow it to melt. Stir in minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Make Roux and Simmer Sauce: Sprinkle the flour into the pan and stir constantly to form a paste. Gradually add the chicken stock and heavy cream while stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to simmer gently until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Slice Chicken: Cut the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips for serving.
- Finish Sauce and Combine: Remove the pan from heat and whisk in fresh lemon juice and grated parmesan cheese until smooth and combined. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat evenly.
- Serve: Plate the pasta with sauce, top with sliced chicken, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges on the side for an added citrus kick.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta; it should remain slightly firm to hold up well with the creamy sauce.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor; bottled lemon juice can impart a dull taste.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken stock or cream to loosen it up.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
Keywords: Lemon chicken pasta, creamy lemon pasta, chicken pasta recipe, easy dinner, Italian pasta with chicken, lemon cream sauce pasta
Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/lemon-chicken-pasta-recipe/
