Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Enhanced with garlic, parmesan, and fresh parsley, it offers a balanced dish of rich flavors and zesty brightness, making it a comforting yet refreshing meal perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Mick
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
For the Pasta and Chicken
- 350 g pasta of choice
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp water
For the Sauce
- 40 g unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
To Serve
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook until it is 1 to 2 minutes short of al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the sea salt flakes, black pepper, sweet paprika, and Italian seasoning. Rub this spice mix evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts to infuse flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a golden crust. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of water to loosen any browned bits from the chicken. Then add the butter and allow it to melt over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Roux and Add Liquids: Sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly to form a smooth paste. Gradually pour in the chicken stock and heavy cream while stirring continuously. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Slice the Chicken: While the sauce is thickening, slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips for easy serving.
- Finish the Sauce and Combine: Remove the pan from heat. Whisk in the fresh lemon juice and freshly grated parmesan until smooth and creamy. Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Plate the creamy lemon pasta and top with the sliced chicken breasts. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for an extra pop of freshness and acidity.
Notes
- To avoid overcooking the chicken, rest it briefly after cooking before slicing.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice according to your taste preference for acidity.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but the sauce will be less rich.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Keywords: Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta, lemon chicken pasta recipe, creamy pasta with chicken, easy chicken pasta, Italian chicken pasta, lemon cream sauce pasta