Irresistible Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

Whipping up a delectable lemon garlic chicken pasta can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Home cooks adore this straightforward yet impressive dish that comes together quickly.

Fragrant garlic and bright citrus notes dance through tender chicken and silky noodles.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of tangy and rich flavors that comfort and excite.

Weeknight dinners suddenly feel special with minimal ingredients and maximum satisfaction.

Smooth sauce coats perfectly cooked pasta, creating a restaurant-quality meal you can craft in your own kitchen.

Savor every forkful of this irresistible recipe that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta: Top Tips for Success

• Pasta Perfection: Salt the water generously to enhance the pasta's flavor and ensure it's well-seasoned from the start.
• Chicken Browning Technique: Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Sauce Smoothing Trick: Gradually add Parmesan cheese while stirring constantly to prevent clumping and create a silky, creamy sauce.
• Zesty Flavor Boost: Use fresh lemon zest and juice for a bright, citrusy punch that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Dietary Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free pasta to make the recipe celiac-friendly.

Saving Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta for Another Day

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it stays fresh and tasty.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to prevent dryness and restore creamy texture.
• Gently reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a little liquid to maintain moisture and prevent sticking.
• Freeze the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, but note that cream-based sauces may slightly separate upon thawing.

Flavors That Go with Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

• Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the lemon and garlic notes, cutting through the creamy sauce with refreshing acidity.
• Create a perfect sidekick with toasted bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil, ideal for soaking up the rich, tangy sauce.
• Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the creamy pasta, adding a peppery crunch and bright, clean flavor profile.
• Prepare a side of roasted asparagus or zucchini seasoned with fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary to add depth and nutrition to the meal.

Fun New Versions of Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a creamy, vegan-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Swap: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the rich, flavorful sauce.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with spaghetti squash, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Spicy Herb Remix: Add red pepper flakes and swap Italian seasoning with fresh chopped basil and oregano to create a more vibrant, herbaceous profile for adventurous palates.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta: Your Questions Answered

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can swap the pasta for any shape you like. Fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni work great and will hold the creamy sauce perfectly.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Use whole wheat pasta, reduce the cream by mixing half cream and half chicken broth, and choose skinless chicken breast to lower the fat content.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time, store separately in the refrigerator, and quickly reheat and combine when ready to eat. The dish stays fresh for 34 days when properly stored.

• What if I want to add more vegetables?

Roasted broccoli, sautéed spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes are excellent additions that will complement the creamy lemon garlic flavors without changing the core recipe.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Fans Keep Coming Back To

• Combine zesty lemon, creamy Parmesan, and aromatic garlic for a mouthwatering sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish right at home.
• Minimize cleanup with this skillet-to-table recipe that uses the same pan for cooking chicken, creating a rich sauce, and mixing everything together, saving time and effort.
• Easily adapt the recipe by adding vegetables like spinach or broccoli, swapping chicken for shrimp, or adjusting seasonings to suit individual taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You Need for Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

• Pasta: Soft and tender base for the creamy dish, best when cooked al dente.

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that adds hearty flavor to the meal, choose boneless and skinless for easiest preparation.

• Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Rich and silky liquid base that creates smooth, luxurious sauce texture.
• Butter: Adds depth and richness to the sauce, unsalted recommended for better control of salt.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty and tangy cheese that helps thicken and enhance sauce flavor, freshly grated preferred.

• Garlic: Intense flavor booster that adds depth to the sauce, fresh cloves are more potent than pre-minced.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that provides classic Mediterranean taste profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall dish flavor, adjust to personal taste.

• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Adds fresh, citrusy brightness that cuts through the cream's richness.

• Fresh Parsley: Light, fresh herb that adds color and subtle green flavor.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing chicken, extra virgin provides best flavor.

Cooking Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

Boil water in a large pot with a generous pinch of salt. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, following package guidelines. Drain thoroughly and set aside.

Step 2: Sear Golden Chicken

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and completely cooked through, turning occasionally. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Garlic Foundation

In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until wonderfully fragrant and slightly golden.

Step 4: Craft Creamy Lemon Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Italian seasoning

Stir and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Incorporate Cheesy Goodness

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and smoothly integrated.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Simmer for a few minutes to reheat and blend flavors.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Toss cooked pasta into the skillet, mixing thoroughly to coat every strand with the creamy lemon garlic sauce.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish. Optional: Add extra lemon wedges for a bright, tangy touch. Serve immediately while hot and aromatic.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent “creamy lemon garlic chicken pasta” delivers an irresistible Mediterranean-inspired culinary journey packed with zesty flavors. Quick weeknight comfort meets elegant dining, promising restaurant-quality satisfaction that delights dinner companions with minimal preparation effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or bite-sized pieces

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne work well)

Seasonings and Additions:

• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• Extra lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions, ensuring al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then carefully place the chicken pieces. Sear until a golden-brown crust forms and the chicken is completely cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a separate plate.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until aromatic, releasing its intense flavor, about 30-45 seconds.
4. Gradually pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, creating a luxurious base. Incorporate fresh lemon juice, delicate zest, and Italian seasoning. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, developing rich, complex flavors.
5. Gradually sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the simmering liquid, stirring continuously until the cheese completely melts and creates a silky, smooth sauce.
6. Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the skillet, letting it warm through and absorb the creamy sauce for 2-3 minutes.
7. Carefully fold the reserved pasta into the skillet, ensuring each strand is evenly coated with the velvety sauce and intermingled with the chicken.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately with additional lemon wedges for an extra citrusy brightness.

Notes

• Enhance pasta texture by cooking just shy of al dente since it will continue absorbing sauce while simmering.
• Select chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Keep sauce creamy by gradually adding Parmesan and stirring continuously to prevent clumping or separation.
• Customize dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt for lower fat content or using gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly version.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg