Description
Enjoy a deliciously creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta, featuring tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich lemon-garlic sauce. This dish is perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests, offering a delightful blend of flavors that will leave everyone craving more!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs or 680 g)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon of salt).
- Add the spaghetti (or chosen pasta) and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, drain the rest, and toss the pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Check for doneness by cutting into the thickest part.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute.
- If desired, add red pepper flakes and stir for 30 seconds.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the skillet.
- Add lemon zest and juice, simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream and simmer for another 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Slice the rested chicken into thin strips.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess.
- Gently fold in sliced chicken, warming everything through on low heat.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- Plate the pasta in shallow bowls.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in lemon juice and herbs before cooking.
- This dish can be customized with vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes