Description
A delightful dish of creamy sauce and zesty lemon that combines chicken, pasta, and fresh flavors, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta of your choice. Cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and then drain the rest.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
- Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything gently to mix well.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Best served hot. Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan. Serve with a green salad or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Creamy, Lemon, Chicken, Pasta, Easy Dinner