Indulge in the tangy and rich flavors of creamy lemon chicken pasta. This delightful dish combines the zestiness of lemon with tender chicken breasts and al dente penne pasta. The creamy sauce brings everything together for a comforting and satisfying meal.
For this recipe, you might need to look out for heavy whipping cream and fresh lemon if they're not commonly stocked in your pantry. While most supermarkets carry these items, it's good to know they are essential for achieving the creamy and zesty flavors of this dish.
Ingredients For Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
chicken breasts: The main protein, providing a tender and juicy texture.
lemon: Adds bright, tangy flavor to the dish.
garlic powder: Enhances the savory taste.
ground black pepper: Adds mild heat and depth.
chicken broth: Creates a flavorful base for cooking the pasta.
lemon juice: Intensifies the citrusy notes.
penne pasta: Holds the sauce well and provides a hearty bite.
heavy whipping cream: Adds richness and creaminess.
lemon zest: Provides aromatic citrus flavor.
salt: Balances and enhances flavors.
cheese: Optional topping for added richness and flavor.
One reader, Ester Driggers says:
This creamy lemon chicken pasta recipe is a delightful blend of flavors! The lemon adds a refreshing zest, while the creamy sauce makes it incredibly comforting. The chicken is tender and perfectly seasoned. A must-try for pasta lovers!
Techniques Required
How to prepare chicken: Squeeze lemon over both sides of the chicken breasts and season with garlic powder and pepper. How to bake chicken: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake the seasoned chicken for about 40 minutes, or until cooked through. How to boil pasta: Bring chicken broth to a boil, add lemon juice and pasta, and cook over medium heat until all liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. How to cut chicken: Cut the baked chicken into bite-sized pieces. How to zest a lemon: Use a zester or a fine grater to remove the outer yellow layer of the lemon peel. How to mix ingredients: Stir the cut chicken, whipping cream, and lemon zest into the cooked pasta and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring every minute. How to serve: Let the pasta stand for about 5 minutes before stirring and serving. Sprinkle shredded or grated cheese on top if desired.
How To Make Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
Savor some tang in this lemon chicken pasta that’s ready in under an hour! Penne is tossed in a zesty sauce of lemon juice, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3chicken breasts,boneless skinless, cut in half
- 1lemon,quartered
- 2tspgarlic powder,divided
- 1tspground black pepper,divided
- 29ozchicken broth
- ¼cupfresh lemon juice
- 16ozpenne pasta,cooked as directed on box
- 1½cupsheavy whipping cream
- 1tsplemon zest,grated
- salt and pepper,to taste
- cheese,shredded, to taste, optional
Instructions
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Prepare chicken by squeezing lemon over both sides and seasoning with 1 teaspoon garlic powder and ¾ teaspoon pepper. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
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Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, add the remaining garlic powder and pepper to the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and add lemon juice and pasta. Cook over medium heat for approximately 25 minutes until all liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
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Cut up your chicken into bite-sized pieces and stir into your pasta, along with the whipping cream and lemon zest. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring every minute. Remove from heat. Let stand for about 5 minutes before stirring and serving.
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Sprinkle shredded or grated cheese on top, if desired.
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Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 697.16kcal
- Fat: 32.96g
- Saturated Fat: 16.70g
- Trans Fat: 0.09g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10.62g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.27g
- Carbohydrates: 66.33g
- Fiber: 3.23g
- Sugar: 6.39g
- Protein: 33.15g
- Cholesterol: 141.31mg
- Sodium: 887.98mg
- Calcium: 79.75mg
- Potassium: 605.56mg
- Iron: 2.21mg
- Vitamin A: 267.31µg
- Vitamin C: 10.13mg
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your chicken remains juicy and flavorful, marinate it in the lemon juice and seasonings for at least 30 minutes before baking. This allows the lemon and garlic powder to penetrate the meat, enhancing its taste and tenderness.
How To Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-cook the chicken: Cook the chicken breasts in advance and store them in the fridge. This way, you can skip the baking step and just reheat the chicken when needed.
Use pre-minced garlic: Instead of using garlic powder, opt for pre-minced garlic to save time on measuring and mixing.
Quick pasta cooking: Use pre-cooked pasta or quick-cooking pasta varieties to reduce the cooking time.
Lemon juice shortcut: Use bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons to save time.
One-pot method: Cook the pasta and chicken together in one pot to minimize cleanup and save time.
Substitute Ingredients For Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts offer a similar texture and protein content, making them a suitable alternative.
lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor, though it may be slightly more tart.
garlic powder - Substitute with fresh garlic: Fresh garlic offers a more robust and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.
ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile but is slightly milder.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can provide a similar depth of flavor while keeping the dish vegetarian.
fresh lemon juice - Substitute with bottled lemon juice: Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, though it may lack the freshness of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
penne pasta - Substitute with fusilli pasta: Fusilli pasta has a similar shape and texture, making it a good alternative for holding the creamy sauce.
heavy whipping cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream provides a rich and creamy texture, though it will add a slight coconut flavor.
lemon zest - Substitute with orange zest: Orange zest can provide a similar citrusy aroma and flavor, though it will be slightly sweeter.
salt and pepper - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though it will change the overall taste profile slightly.
cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor and is a great alternative for those avoiding dairy.
Best Way to Present This Dish
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the creamy lemon chicken pasta in elegant, smaller portions to highlight the refinement of the dish. Use a ring mold to shape the pasta neatly on the plate.
Use decoration: Garnish with a delicate sprinkle of lemon zest and a few microgreens to add a touch of color and freshness. This will enhance the visual appeal and hint at the lemon flavor profile.
Highlight the chicken: Arrange the bite-sized chicken pieces artfully on top of the pasta. Ensure each piece is evenly coated with the creamy sauce and positioned to show off the golden-baked exterior.
Drizzle with sauce: Lightly drizzle some extra heavy whipping cream sauce around the pasta on the plate. This adds a luxurious touch and ensures every bite is rich and flavorful.
Cheese garnish: Finish with a fine grating of cheese over the top. Use a high-quality Parmesan or Pecorino to add a sharp, salty contrast to the creamy sauce.
Add a lemon twist: Place a thin, twisted slice of lemon on the side of the plate. This not only adds a pop of color but also reinforces the lemon theme of the dish.
Serve with finesse: Use high-quality, minimalist white plates to let the colors and textures of the creamy lemon chicken pasta stand out. This ensures the dish looks as sophisticated as it tastes.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the chicken breasts until they are cooked through.
Baking dish: Holds the chicken breasts while they bake in the oven.
Lemon squeezer: Extracts fresh lemon juice to marinate the chicken and for the pasta sauce.
Measuring spoons: Measures out the garlic powder, ground black pepper, and other seasonings accurately.
Large saucepan: Cooks the pasta in the chicken broth and lemon juice mixture.
Stirring spoon: Used to stir the pasta and sauce to ensure even cooking and absorption of liquid.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Chef's knife: Cuts the chicken into bite-sized pieces after it has been baked.
Zester: Grates the lemon zest to add a burst of citrus flavor to the dish.
Measuring cup: Measures out the heavy whipping cream and chicken broth.
Cheese grater: Grates the cheese to sprinkle on top of the finished dish.
Serving spoon: Used to serve the creamy lemon chicken pasta onto plates.
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
Refrigeration:
- Allow the creamy lemon chicken pasta to cool to room temperature before storing.
- Transfer the pasta to an airtight container. This helps maintain the flavor and prevents it from absorbing other odors in the fridge.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The heavy whipping cream and chicken will stay fresh within this period.
Reheating:
- For best results, reheat on the stovetop. Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy whipping cream to maintain the creamy texture.
- Alternatively, microwave in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or wrap to retain moisture. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through.
Freezing:
- Cool the pasta completely before freezing. This prevents ice crystals from forming and affecting the texture.
- Portion the pasta into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.
- Label with the date and contents. The creamy lemon chicken pasta can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Thawing:
- Transfer the frozen pasta to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. This slow thawing process helps retain the creaminess and prevents the pasta from becoming mushy.
- For a quicker method, use the defrost setting on your microwave. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe container and defrost in short intervals, stirring occasionally.
Tips for Maintaining Quality:
- When reheating, avoid boiling the pasta as it can cause the cream sauce to separate.
- If the sauce appears too thick after reheating, add a small amount of chicken broth or heavy whipping cream to reach the desired consistency.
- Garnish with freshly grated cheese and a sprinkle of lemon zest before serving to refresh the flavors.
How To Reheat Leftovers
For the stovetop method:
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil or a knob of butter.
- Once the oil or butter is heated, add your leftover creamy lemon chicken pasta to the skillet.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, adding a splash of chicken broth or heavy whipping cream if the pasta seems dry.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes until the pasta is thoroughly warmed and the chicken is heated through.
- Serve immediately, optionally garnished with a bit more lemon zest or freshly grated cheese.
For the microwave method:
- Place your leftover creamy lemon chicken pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy whipping cream to keep the pasta moist.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small corner open to vent.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, then stir the pasta.
- Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the pasta is heated through.
- Let it sit for a minute before serving, and sprinkle with additional cheese if desired.
For the oven method:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Transfer your leftover creamy lemon chicken pasta to an oven-safe dish.
- Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy whipping cream and stir to combine.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the pasta from drying out.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking if you want a slightly crispy top.
- Serve hot, optionally topped with more cheese or a sprinkle of lemon zest.
For the double boiler method:
- Fill the bottom of a double boiler with water and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
- Place your leftover creamy lemon chicken pasta in the top part of the double boiler.
- Stir occasionally, adding a splash of chicken broth or heavy whipping cream if needed.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes until the pasta is warmed through and the chicken is hot.
- Serve immediately, with an optional garnish of freshly grated cheese or lemon zest.
For the air fryer method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Place your leftover creamy lemon chicken pasta in an air fryer-safe dish.
- Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy whipping cream to keep the pasta moist.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the pasta from drying out.
- Air fry for about 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes if you want a slightly crispy top.
- Serve hot, optionally topped with more cheese or a sprinkle of lemon zest.
Random Fact About This Recipe
A random fact about this recipe is that the combination of lemon and heavy whipping cream creates a rich and tangy sauce that perfectly complements the chicken and pasta.
Is This Recipe Economical for Home Cooking?
This creamy lemon chicken pasta recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like chicken breasts, penne pasta, and heavy whipping cream are relatively affordable. The use of lemon and chicken broth adds a burst of flavor without significantly increasing the cost. Overall, this dish can be prepared for approximately $15-$20, making it a budget-friendly option for a family of four. The balance of protein, carbs, and creamy texture makes it a satisfying meal. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Healthy or Unhealthy?
This creamy lemon chicken pasta recipe is a delightful blend of flavors, but it leans towards the unhealthy side due to its high-calorie and high-fat content. The heavy whipping cream and cheese contribute significantly to the saturated fat and calorie count. Additionally, the use of penne pasta adds a substantial amount of carbohydrates, which can be excessive for those monitoring their carb intake.
- Heavy whipping cream: High in saturated fats, which can raise cholesterol levels.
- Cheese: Adds extra calories and fats.
- Pasta: High in carbohydrates, which can spike blood sugar levels.
- Chicken broth: Depending on the brand, it can be high in sodium.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following adjustments:
- Substitute heavy whipping cream with a lighter option like half-and-half or a plant-based milk such as almond or oat milk.
- Use whole wheat or chickpea pasta instead of regular penne to increase fiber content and lower the glycemic index.
- Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to reduce sodium intake.
- Add more vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers to increase nutrient density and fiber.
- Use a smaller amount of cheese or choose a lower-fat cheese option.
- Grill or pan-sear the chicken instead of baking to reduce cooking time and retain more nutrients.
Editor's Thoughts
This creamy lemon chicken pasta recipe offers a delightful balance of tangy lemon and rich creaminess. Baking the chicken ensures it remains juicy while infusing it with citrusy notes. Cooking the pasta in chicken broth enhances its flavor, though 25 minutes might be too long; check for al dente texture earlier. The addition of heavy cream and lemon zest creates a luscious sauce, but consider adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra freshness. Overall, it's a comforting and flavorful dish, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
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Why trust this Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe:
This creamy lemon chicken pasta recipe is a must-try for its perfect balance of flavors. The lemon juice adds a refreshing zest, while the heavy whipping cream ensures a rich, velvety texture. The chicken broth infuses the penne pasta with savory goodness, making every bite delightful. Plus, the baked chicken is tender and juicy, enhancing the overall dish. Trust this recipe for a satisfying and delicious meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
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