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Creamy Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy lemon pepper chicken pasta recipe featuring tender chicken, zesty lemon, and a luscious creamy sauce perfect for weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
  2. Pat dry chicken breasts and season both sides with salt and 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook another 5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken, let rest 5 minutes, then slice.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits. Simmer 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season with remaining black pepper and salt to taste. If sauce is too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
  8. Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to combine and warm through for 1-2 minutes.
  9. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top and serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

Do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy. Use freshly cracked black pepper for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Simmer sauce gently to avoid curdling. Fresh lemon zest is key for bright flavor. Use quality Parmesan cheese for smooth melting. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta can be used to make the dish gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon pepper chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, lemon pasta, chicken pasta recipe

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/creamy-lemon-pepper-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/