Description
A rich and creamy lemon chicken pasta made with tender golden chicken, silky parmesan sauce, fresh lemon juice, and perfectly cooked fettuccine. This comforting yet vibrant pasta dish comes together quickly and delivers restaurant-style flavor right at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season the sliced chicken with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir gently and allow the mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the parmesan cheese gradually while stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until the pasta is fully coated.
- Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet. Toss gently to combine.
- Finish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor and brightness.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the smoothest sauce texture.
- If the sauce thickens too much, loosen it with reserved pasta water.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: lemon chicken pasta, creamy pasta recipe, chicken pasta dinner, easy pasta recipe, lemon parmesan pasta, creamy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner recipe