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To create this quick creamy lemon chicken pasta, you will need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you should gather: - 8 oz of spaghetti or your favorite pasta - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces - 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil - 3 cloves of garlic, minced finely - 1 cup of heavy cream - Zest and juice of 1 fresh lemon - 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Each ingredient plays a key role in the dish. The spaghetti serves as a great base, while the chicken adds protein. Olive oil brings flavor and helps cook the chicken. Garlic adds depth to the taste. Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and creamy. Lemon gives a bright, fresh flavor. Parmesan cheese adds a nice cheesy touch. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors, and parsley makes the dish look pretty. Now, let's get cooking! {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. 2. Add 8 ounces of spaghetti or your favorite pasta. 3. Cook until it is al dente, about 8-10 minutes. 4. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. 5. Drain the pasta and set it aside. 1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. 2. Season 2 diced boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. 3. Add the chicken to the skillet and sauté it. 4. Cook for 5-7 minutes until it turns golden brown and is cooked through. 1. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet. 2. Sauté for about one minute until it smells good. 3. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and stir until mixed well. 4. Add the zest and juice of 1 fresh lemon, mixing thoroughly. 5. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until creamy. 6. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time. 7. Toss the cooked spaghetti in the skillet with the sauce until well coated. 8. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. To adjust the sauce thickness, use reserved pasta water. After draining the pasta, save about 1/2 cup of that water. If your sauce feels too thick, add a bit of this starchy water. Stir well and see how it changes. This method helps make the sauce creamy and smooth. For the best creaminess, use heavy cream and fresh Parmesan cheese. Both add richness to the sauce. Stir the cheese in slowly. Let it melt completely before adding more. This keeps the sauce silky and avoids lumps. Don’t rush; enjoy the process! Avoid overcooking the chicken. Cook it until it’s golden brown. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Use medium heat, and keep an eye on it. Cut the chicken into small pieces so they cook evenly. This way, you won’t end up with dry chicken. Seasoning is key at each step. Add salt and pepper when cooking the chicken. This builds flavor right from the start. Don’t forget to taste the sauce before serving. Adjust the seasoning to your liking for a delicious finish. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh lemons and high-quality chicken will enhance the flavors of your dish significantly. Adjust the Creaminess: If you prefer a lighter sauce, consider substituting half of the heavy cream with chicken broth for a delicious balance. Add Vegetables: Incorporate spinach or cherry tomatoes for an extra layer of flavor and nutrition in your pasta. Perfect Pasta Timing: Timing is key; ensure your pasta is ready just as your sauce finishes cooking to keep everything hot and fresh. {{image_4}} - Alternatives for heavy cream: You can use coconut cream or cashew cream. Both options offer a creamy texture. If you prefer lower fat, try using Greek yogurt mixed with a little milk. This will still give you a rich taste without the extra calories. - Different pasta types to use: While spaghetti is great, you can swap it for penne or fettuccine. These shapes hold the sauce well. If you're looking for a gluten-free option, try rice noodles or gluten-free pasta. They will also work beautifully in this dish. - Incorporating vegetables or herbs: Add spinach or peas for color and nutrition. Sauté them with the garlic for added flavor. Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can enhance the dish. Toss them in right before serving for a fresh taste. - Adding spices or different cheese options: For a kick, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with different cheeses. Try goat cheese or feta for a tangy twist. Mixing cheeses can add depth to your creamy sauce, making it even more delicious. To store your creamy lemon chicken pasta, follow these simple steps: - Let the pasta cool down to room temperature. - Transfer it to an airtight container. - Make sure to seal it tightly before placing it in the fridge. This dish lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Keep an eye out for any changes in smell or color to ensure freshness. When reheating your pasta, you have a few good methods: 1. Stovetop: Place the pasta in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or cream to keep it moist. Stir gently until heated through. 2. Microwave: Put the pasta in a microwave-safe bowl. Splash a bit of water or cream on top. Cover and heat in short bursts, stirring in between. To keep the creaminess intact, focus on low heat. This prevents the sauce from separating. Enjoy your leftover pasta like it’s fresh! Can I use frozen chicken? Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just make sure to thaw it first. This helps it cook evenly. You can thaw it overnight in the fridge or use the microwave. Once thawed, cut it into bite-sized pieces before cooking. Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free? Absolutely! To make this dish gluten-free, simply swap the pasta for gluten-free pasta. There are many tasty options available today. Look for rice, chickpea, or brown rice pasta for great results. How can I make it dairy-free? To make this dish dairy-free, switch the heavy cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free alternative. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. This still gives you a nice cheesy flavor without dairy. Can I make this in advance? Yes, you can prepare this dish in advance. Make the creamy lemon chicken sauce and store it in the fridge for up to two days. Cook the pasta fresh when you're ready to serve. This keeps everything tasting great. What to serve with creamy lemon chicken pasta? This pasta pairs well with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables. You can also serve it with garlic bread for a complete meal. A light white wine complements the flavors nicely as well. This blog post covered all you need for a creamy lemon chicken pasta dish. You learned about the key ingredients and the step-by-step process to cook it perfectly. We also explored tips for flavor, variations, storage, and even common questions. Cooking should be fun and easy! Now, you can impress anyone with this tasty meal. Enjoy making it your own. Delicious pasta awaits you!

Quick Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

A delicious and easy pasta dish featuring chicken in a creamy lemon sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta
  • 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced finely
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 lemon zest and juice of 1 fresh lemon
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Begin by cooking the pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water for later use. Set the drained pasta aside.
  • While the pasta cooks, take a large skillet and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, season the diced chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the skillet. Sauté the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is nicely browned and cooked through, around 5-7 minutes.
  • Introduce the minced garlic to the skillet, cooking it for an additional minute until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden.
  • Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring well to combine it with the chicken and garlic, creating a luscious creamy base.
  • Next, add the lemon zest and juice into the mixture, stirring thoroughly to blend the flavors. Gradually mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until it melts and the sauce turns creamy and smooth.
  • If you find the sauce is too thick for your liking, gradually add in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.
  • Toss the cooked spaghetti in the skillet with the creamy lemon chicken sauce, ensuring that every strand of pasta is well coated in the sauce.
  • Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, if necessary.
  • Serve your pasta immediately, beautifully garnished with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

Notes

Adjust the thickness of the sauce with reserved pasta water as needed.
Keyword chicken, creamy, lemon, pasta