Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
A delightful pasta dish featuring tender chicken in a creamy lemon sauce that's quick, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken Preparation
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced into cutlets
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.75 tsp kosher salt
- 0.75 tsp black pepper
Pasta Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta of choice (such as bucatini, spaghetti, pappardelle, or fettuccine)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1.5 cups finely chopped yellow onion
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.75 cup chicken broth
- 0.75 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.33 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
- 0.33 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (plus more for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Optional Add-ins
- Fresh baby spinach or arugula Add at the end of cooking for freshness.
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Roasted broccoli
- Sautéed mushrooms
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season generously with salt.
- In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced chicken with olive oil, lemon zest, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
Cooking
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until just shy of al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth, along with reserved salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 5 to 6 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Lower the heat and stir in chopped parsley, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to combine and adding about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to achieve a silky consistency.
- Heat for approximately 2 minutes, adding more pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Serve the pasta topped with sliced chicken, garnished with extra parsley, Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, and a fresh lemon squeeze.
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Notes
For best flavor, use fresh ingredients. Adjust ingredient proportions to your preference. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.