Description
This Lemon Pasta with Chicken is a bright and creamy Mediterranean-inspired dinner made with tender chicken, fresh lemon zest, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy chicken pasta recipe delivers fresh citrus flavor balanced with comforting richness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 400 g spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 medium chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup cooking cream (optional)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook seasoned chicken until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir gently and add cream if using. Simmer briefly.
- Return chicken to the pan. Add cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss well.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Finish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Reserve pasta water for a silky sauce. Adjust lemon juice to taste. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg