Description
A bright and flavorful Lemon Chicken Pasta recipe featuring tender chicken breasts, zesty lemon, garlic, and Parmesan cheese tossed with perfectly cooked pasta in a vibrant lemon butter sauce.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 ounces pasta any shape
- 4 thin-sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh-ground black pepper to taste
- Zest of 1 large lemon
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 Tablespoons butter divided
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Garnish
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley or thyme, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a generous pinch of salt. Add the pasta and cook just shy of al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Season Chicken: While the pasta cooks, lightly sprinkle the chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt, garlic powder, fresh-ground black pepper, and lemon zest.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot and butter is melted, cook chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Spices: Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Create Sauce: Pour in the white wine and scrape the pan bottom to release browned bits. Add chicken broth, lemon juice, additional lemon zest, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer and let bubble for about 1 minute.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Stir in the drained pasta followed by the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed.
- Finish Cooking Chicken: Nestle chicken breasts back into the skillet among the pasta. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley or thyme. Add extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your taste. Use less if you prefer mild heat or omit entirely. For more kick, sprinkle extra red pepper flakes before serving or pass at the table.
- You can fully cook the chicken breasts in the second step if you prefer to slice them afterwards and then add bite-sized pieces to the pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
