Description
Creamy lemon chicken pasta made with tender chicken, silky fettuccine, fresh lemon juice, garlic, parmesan cheese, and a rich creamy sauce. This comforting dinner is bright, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the sliced chicken with salt and black pepper.
- Add olive oil to the skillet and cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the fettuccine pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth, heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir gently until combined.
- Add parmesan cheese gradually while stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the pasta. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve hot with extra parmesan and lemon slices if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the smoothest sauce texture.
- Fresh lemon juice gives the brightest flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: lemon chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, lemon garlic pasta, chicken pasta dinner, creamy lemon pasta, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner