Description
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta is a delightful Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken strips sautéed to perfection and tossed in a luscious lemon-infused garlic cream sauce. Combined with perfectly cooked fettuccine, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of red pepper flakes, this recipe creates a rich yet refreshing dinner that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a comforting weekend treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Sauté the chicken in the hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm on a plate.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream and Flavorings: Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and begins to thicken.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, using the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce as needed, ensuring the pasta is thoroughly coated.
- Reintroduce Chicken: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your creamy, tangy chicken pasta.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add a spoonful of cream cheese along with the Parmesan cheese during the sauce preparation.
- Enhance the dish’s nutritional value by adding vegetables such as fresh spinach or asparagus to the pasta before combining with the sauce.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add freshly cracked black pepper.
- To reduce calories, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use a lighter cream option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
