Weeknight • Pasta
Speedy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta
This bright and zesty pasta dish comes together quickly, featuring tender chicken and a luscious lemon-garlic sauce.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Craving something comforting yet vibrant on a busy weeknight? This Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta is your new best friend. It's packed with flavor, thanks to fresh lemon and plenty of garlic, and so satisfying.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3-4 tbsp)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 3
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in heavy cream and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 4
Add the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Step 5
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- For a touch of freshness, add a handful of baby spinach to the sauce in the last minute of cooking.
- Ensure your chicken is cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Don't overcook the pasta! Al dente pasta will absorb the sauce better without becoming mushy.
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