If you crave a dish that’s bright, bold, and outrageously comforting, you’re about to meet your new weeknight obsession: Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta. This is a pasta recipe to remember, brimming with juicy strips of chicken, tangled in ribbons of pasta, and all coated in a silken lemon-garlic Parmesan sauce that hits every possible flavor note. The balance of zest and richness, that satisfying creamy texture, and pops of fresh parsley make this dish a total showstopper whether you serve it for family, friends, or your own solo treat-yourself night.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta is how its simple, familiar ingredients come together to create a dazzling meal. Each ingredient plays a crucial role: from the golden seared chicken to the tangy lemon and velvet-like cream, every bite is pure harmony.

Chicken breasts: Slice them into strips for fast cooking and plenty of surface area to soak up that lemony sauce.
Olive oil: The foundation for sautéing the chicken, giving it a gorgeous, golden exterior.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and depth, elevating the sauce to true comfort-food status.
Garlic: Four big cloves, minced, provide a fragrant, irresistible backbone to the sauce.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that rounds out the flavors and gives the dish its signature warmth.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but highly recommended if you like a subtle, lingering heat that balances the creaminess.
Heavy cream: The secret to that luscious, velvety sauce that clings lovingly to every noodle.
Chicken broth: Adds savory depth and keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice: The star ingredient that brings a bright, tangy punch and keeps the dish from ever feeling too rich.
Lemon zest: Zest takes the lemon flavor up a notch for a lively aroma and color.
Fettuccine or penne pasta: Either shape is perfect for catching all that creamy sauce—choose your favorite.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for unbeatable flavor and a dreamy texture.
Salt: Brings everything into delicious balance.
Black pepper: Freshly cracked gives a subtle bite without overpowering the other flavors.
Fresh parsley: The final flourish, adding color and a pop of herbal freshness.

How to Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your fettuccine or penne until just al dente, making sure to reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. This starchy liquid is your magic trick for a perfectly glossy, cohesive sauce at the end.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Season your chicken strips generously with salt and pepper, then add them to the sizzling pan. Sauté for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and perfectly cooked through—no dry chicken here! Once done, set the chicken aside on a plate to rest.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

In the same skillet (don’t wipe it out; you want all those tasty browned bits), lower the heat and melt the butter. Toss in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for about a minute until your kitchen smells like pure happiness—just be careful not to let the garlic brown.

Step 4: Make the Lemon Cream Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and that vibrant lemon zest. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer for five minutes, stirring every so often. This step lets all the flavors meld and thickens the sauce to luxurious perfection.

Step 5: Finish with Parmesan and Combine

Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the simmering sauce and stir until it melts into creamy oblivion. Slice your cooked chicken, then add it back to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together, loosening up with reserved pasta water as needed to reach your perfect sauce consistency.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, shower fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve your Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta warm and get ready for instant smiles around the table!

How to Serve Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Garnishes

Finishing touches can turn a dinner into something truly special. Sprinkle extra Parmesan and more finely chopped fresh parsley right before serving. For even more punch, add a few twists of cracked black pepper or a scattering of lemon zest—these little gestures make the flavors pop and add lots of visual appeal.

Side Dishes

This pasta loves some crunchy, buttery garlic bread on the side or a big green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. If you’d like, steam up some green beans or toss roasted asparagus on the tray—earthy veggies balance all that luscious sauce and give you something crisp to contrast the creamy main event.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta piled high in a wide bowl for restaurant-style effect, or twirl individual nests on each plate for a more elegant touch. You can also portion it into ramekins for a dinner party starter or spoon it into a hollowed-out lemon for a whimsical, summer-inspired presentation. Don’t be afraid to get playful!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta, simply pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors only deepen as they meld, making it a fantastic leftover lunch or quick dinner.

Freezing

While creamy sauces can change texture after freezing, you can freeze this dish if needed. Spoon cooled portions into freezer-safe containers, leaving some room for expansion, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.

Reheating

To revive your leftovers, warm them up in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to help loosen the sauce. Stir gently and watch as the creaminess returns. Avoid microwaving for too long, as it can cause the sauce to separate—slow and gentle is the way to go.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are deliciously juicy and work beautifully in Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta. Just allow a few extra minutes for them to cook through.

What other pasta shapes work well with this sauce?

Fettuccine and penne are both top choices, but you can use linguine, rotini, or even spaghetti. The sauce is fairly thick and clings nicely to almost any shape.

Is there a way to make this dish lighter?

You can swap in half-and-half or even whole milk for the heavy cream, though the sauce will be a bit thinner. Adding extra vegetables like spinach or asparagus also lightens up the dish and brings new flavors.

Can I make Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta vegetarian?

Yes—just skip the chicken and try sautéed mushrooms or zucchini instead. Vegetable broth can easily replace the chicken broth to keep everything flavorful and satisfying.

What’s the best way to zest a lemon without the bitter pith?

Use a microplane or fine grater, and only remove the very outer yellow layer of the lemon. Avoid the white part underneath, as it can give your Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta an unwanted bitterness.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard not to fall head-over-heels for Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta—every twirl of pasta brings that zesty, garlicky, and perfectly creamy goodness. Whether you’re cooking for loved ones or treating yourself to a homemade indulgence, this is a recipe that’s sure to brighten your day. Give it a try and let yourself get swept away by the magic of lemon, garlic, and cream!

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the creamy, tangy goodness of this scrumptious Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta. With tender chicken strips, a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish is a flavor explosion that will tantalize your taste buds.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Sauce:

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest

For the Pasta:

1 pound fettuccine or penne pasta
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Cook the Chicken: Season and cook chicken until golden brown; set aside.
Make the Sauce: Melt butter, add garlic, seasoning, cream, broth, lemon juice, and zest. Simmer, then stir in Parmesan until smooth.
Combine and Serve: Slice chicken, add to sauce with pasta, toss to coat. Garnish with parsley and serve.