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Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken

Close-up of Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken tossed in a rich sauce and topped with fresh parsley.
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Make this rich and bright pasta dish featuring tender chicken in a creamy lemon garlic sauce. It is a fast meal suitable for any weeknight.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or linguine)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 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 fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. 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.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
  9. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For an extra creamy sauce, use the reserved starchy pasta water slowly until the sauce emulsifies perfectly.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright flavor.
  • You can substitute chicken broth for white wine if you prefer not to use alcohol.

Nutrition

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