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Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Close-up of rich Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken, topped with parsley and Parmesan.
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Make a rich and bright pasta dish featuring tender chicken in a smooth lemon garlic cream sauce. This recipe is quick enough for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or linguine recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. If using, pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes until reduced slightly.
  6. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
  8. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss in the drained pasta.
  9. Add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce coats the pasta evenly and reaches your desired consistency.
  10. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
  11. Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a richer sauce, substitute 1/4 cup of the heavy cream with mascarpone cheese.
  • If you prefer not to use wine, substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled juice alters the taste.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-pasta-with-chicken/