Description
This Lemon Chicken Pasta recipe offers a bright, flavorful twist on classic pasta by combining tender, pan-seared chicken breasts with a zesty lemon sauce, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish is perfect for a quick yet elegant weeknight dinner that brings fresh, tangy flavors to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (any shape)
Chicken
- 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 Garnish
- 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 cheese
- Lemon wedges for garnish
- Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente, meaning slightly undercooked. This ensures the pasta finishes cooking when combined with the sauce. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of the thin-sliced chicken breasts evenly with kosher salt, garlic powder, fresh-ground black pepper, and lemon zest to infuse brightness and flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté the minced garlic and red pepper flakes for about 1 minute until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Then add chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer and reduce slightly for 2-3 minutes to concentrate the flavors.
- Combine: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the reduced sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese to create a creamy texture. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the pasta and sauce to warm through.
- Serve: Plate the lemon chicken pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon wedges, and chopped parsley or thyme. Serve immediately to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using thin-sliced chicken breasts ensures even cooking and quick searing.
- Leaving the pasta slightly undercooked before combining with the sauce prevents it from becoming mushy.
- White wine can be substituted with additional chicken broth if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- Fresh herbs enhance the dish’s freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: lemon chicken pasta, quick chicken pasta, lemon pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner, stovetop pasta
