Lemon Chicken Pasta
Lemon chicken pasta is a vibrant dish that combines tender chicken and al dente pasta in a tangy lemon sauce, creating an explosion of flavor with every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe is quick to prepare and visually stunning, making it sure to impress family and friends alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients by mincing the garlic and zesting the lemons.
- Cook fettuccine in boiling salted water until al dente; drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown on both sides (about 6-7 minutes per side).
- Lower the heat and add minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Pour in fresh lemon juice while scraping brown bits from the pan.
- Add cooked fettuccine to the skillet with chicken and garlic mixture. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
- Remove from heat and mix in fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: - For variation, substitute chicken with shrimp or add spinach for added nutrition. - Let the chicken rest after cooking to ensure juiciness. - Use fresh lemons for maximum flavor; avoid bottled juice.