Description
This Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. The sauce is enriched with parmesan and a hint of garlic, balanced by fresh parsley and zesty lemon wedges, making for a vibrant and comforting dish perfect for any weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Seasoning
- 350 g pasta of choice
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 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
To Serve
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until it is 1 to 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the sea salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and Italian seasoning. Rub this mixture evenly onto both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the chicken is fully cooked through and golden. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Sauce Base: Add 2 tablespoons of water to the pan to deglaze it, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken. Then melt the unsalted butter in the same pan. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic mixture and stir continuously to form a paste. Gradually pour in the chicken stock and heavy cream while whisking constantly. Allow the sauce to simmer gently until it thickens into a creamy texture.
- Prepare the Chicken Strips: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips, ready to be added back to the pasta dish.
- Finish the Sauce and Combine: Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the fresh lemon juice and freshly grated parmesan until fully incorporated. Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat every strand in the creamy lemon sauce.
- Serve: Plate the pasta coated in the sauce and top it with the sliced chicken strips. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for an extra burst of freshness and garnish.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- If chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them to ensure even cooking.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Reserve a little pasta water if the sauce needs loosening before serving.
- Feel free to add steamed vegetables like broccoli or peas for a more balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy lemon chicken pasta, lemon chicken pasta recipe, creamy chicken pasta, easy Italian pasta, weeknight chicken dinner
