Description
A cozy and creamy lemon chicken pasta dish that’s quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners. Bright flavors from lemon and cheese come together for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pieces Chicken breasts, sliced thin or cubed (Ensure pieces are thin for quick cooking.)
- 8 ounces Pasta (penne, rotini, or linguine) (Short pasta works best for sauce cling.)
- 3 cloves Garlic, fresh (Fresh garlic is best for flavor.)
- 1 whole Lemon, zest and juice (Zest adds aroma, juice adds tang.)
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream (or half and half) (For a lighter feel, use half and half.)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (Freshly grated melts smoother.)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- to taste Red pepper flakes (optional) (For added heat.)
- 1 cup Spinach or parsley, for garnish (Add for freshness before serving.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Sear chicken in olive oil until golden and cooked through, then remove to a plate.
- In the same pan, sauté garlic briefly.
Cooking the Pasta
- Add chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the pan.
- Add pasta and enough liquid to cook it, or add cooked pasta if using the skillet method.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan, lemon zest, and lemon juice on low heat.
- Add the chicken back into the pan, toss to combine, and finish with spinach or herbs.
Notes
Keep the heat low when adding lemon juice to avoid curdling the sauce. This recipe is versatile and can accommodate various add-ins like vegetables or different cheeses.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Italian