Print

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

A close-up of Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken served on a white plate, topped with fresh parsley.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A simple recipe for rich, creamy pasta featuring bright lemon, pungent garlic, and tender chicken pieces.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or linguine recommended)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  4. Pour in the white wine or broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  7. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat well.
  8. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
  9. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, sear the chicken in butter instead of oil.
  • If you prefer a richer sauce, substitute half of the heavy cream with cream cheese.
  • Add a handful of fresh spinach during the last minute of cooking for added greens.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerycourier.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-pasta-with-chicken/