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Lemon Chicken Pasta


  • Author: Christine
  • Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Pasta:

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
  • 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Lemon Sauce:

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For Garnish:

  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Extra Parmesan cheese
  • Lemon slices

Instructions

Cook the Pasta

  1. Boil Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook Pasta: Add linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Prepare the Chicken

  1. Season Chicken: Sprinkle chicken strips with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat Oil and Butter: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
  3. Cook Chicken: Sear chicken strips until golden brown and fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Make the Lemon Sauce

  1. Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  2. Add Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
  3. Mix in Cream and Lemon: Lower the heat, then stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and zest. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Incorporate Parmesan: Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.

Combine and Serve

  1. Toss Pasta and Chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat in the sauce.
  2. Adjust Consistency: Use reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to loosen the sauce if needed.
  3. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and lemon slices. Serve immediately and enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 10 min.
  • Cook Time: 20 min.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 servings
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g