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You are here: Home / 30 Minute Meals / Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

30 Minute Meals Main Course

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pasta in a skillet

Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta is an easy recipe that’s ready in 25 minutes. With a creamy sauce made from Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and heavy cream, this simple meal is perfect for busy weeknights!

pasta in a skillet

Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Delicious pasta recipes are one of my favorite meals and this lemon chicken pasta recipe is loaded on flavor and ready in no time.

Remember this creamy ground beef pasta, easy taco pasta, and Italian sausage pasta? So easy and ready for busy weeknights. 

If you’re looking for a lemon pasta with simple ingredients and great flavor, look no further. This is sure to be a family favorite, even for those picky eaters!

With a creamy lemon sauce, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and al dente pasta, this dish has been on my dinner rotation for the past few months…it’s just that good! My husband loves the tender chicken and the bright lemon flavor. It’s perfect for leftovers and even freezer-friendly, too. 

And I did I mention this dish is ready in 25 minutes? That means less time in the kitchen and more time doing the things you enjoy.

pasta in a skillet

Ingredients in Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe:

  • Uncooked pasta
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper

Zesty Lemon Cream Sauce:

  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Zest and juice of one lemon
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian season
  • Salt and black pepper

How to Make the Best Lemon Chicken Pasta:

  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and then add olive oil. Add chicken to skillet and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook and brown chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Remove chicken from pan, let rest for 3-4 minutes, and then cut into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Scrape the bottom of skillet to get the browned bits off from bottom of pan. Then add chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
  4. Add pasta and chicken to sauce and toss to coat. Adjust seasonings and garish with additional lemon zest/juice, if needed.

pasta in a skillet

How to Store Leftover Pasta:

This chicken pasta will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the creamy pasta sauce will not turn out well once reheated.

What to Serve with Chicken Pasta Recipe:

While this pasta is delicious all on its own, I like to serve it with this cheesy garlic bread, a simple green salad, or this asparagus recipe.

Tips for Making Chicken Lemon Pasta:

  • Make sure the pasta is cooked until al dente. You don’t want to overcook it, as it will become chewy. If you’re using gluten-free pasta, watch carefully, as it tends to cook faster than regular pasta.
  • If you want more lemon flavor, add some lemon zest to the chicken as it cooks.
  • To make this meal extra easy, use shredded rotisserie chicken that you can find near the deli section of your grocery store.
  • I like using heavy cream for this recipe because of the richness, but feel free to use half and half or milk (though it won’t be as creamy).
  • I use garlic powder for ease and convenience, but fresh garlic cloves would make a delicious addition. 
  • Add some asparagus, sweet peas, or crispy bacon for even more flavor!
  • Fresh basil or fresh parsley would make a tasty addition, too.

pasta in a skillet with a serving utensil

Looking for More Chicken Pasta Dishes? I’ve Got You Covered!

  • Chicken Pot Pie Noodles
  • Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
  • Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
  • One Pan Chicken and Spinach Gnocchi
  • Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
  • Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

Easy Video Tutorial for Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta:

pasta in a skillet
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta is an easy recipe that's ready in 25 minutes. With a creamy sauce made from Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and heavy cream, this simple meal is perfect for busy weeknights!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, lemon chicken pasta, pasta
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 636kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces uncooked pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)

Creamy Lemon Sauce

  • ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Zest and juice from one lemon

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and then add olive oil. Add chicken to skillet and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook and brown chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
  • Remove chicken from pan, let rest for 3-4 minutes, and then cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Scrape the bottom of skillet to get the browned bits off from bottom of pan. Then add chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
  • Add pasta and chicken to sauce and toss to coat. Adjust seasonings and garish with additional lemon zest/juice, if needed. 

Notes

  • This chicken pasta will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • See my tips and tricks for making this Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta above the recipe box.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 636kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 518mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 848IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 2mg
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By Gayle | July 18, 2022

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    July 18, 2022 at 3:53 pm

    hi there what heavy cream I’m in England could i use yoghurt or fromis frais? thanks in advance Sarah x

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      July 19, 2022 at 7:45 am

      Hi Sarah! Heavy cream is heavy whipping cream here, a thicker, richer version of milk (commonly used to make whipped cream). Milk would be the best substitute, though it won’t be as creamy. Cream cheese could also be used, though I’m not sure of the texture, as I haven’t tried this before. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
    • Lindsay says

      August 29, 2022 at 8:11 pm

      Here are a few substitutes for the heavy cream. Hope this helps.
      https://blog.creamchargers.co.uk/substitutes-for-heavy-cream/#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20substitute%20for,by%20far%20milk%20and%20butter.

      Reply
  2. PollyAnna says

    August 11, 2022 at 10:42 pm

    Hi, love the sound of this recipe especially as the branches of my lemon tree are almost doing a curtsey from the number of lemons draping from each branch. Lol. Anyway, I have a simple question about after cooking the chicken. When you scrape the brown bits from the pan, do you discard them or do they get added in to the sauce. I’m hoping to cook this in two days time when one of my nieces visits for lunch. She loves anything lemon and chicken. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      August 12, 2022 at 7:18 am

      Hello! I keep the browned bits in the pan after scraping to add more flavor, but you can discard if you would like. Hope you all enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Sheri McCarroll says

    December 30, 2022 at 10:47 pm

    4 stars
    This is a really tasty dish. I would’ve liked to add some baby peas, which would have been a REALLY great addition. My Italian son-in-law says it’s a keeper. However, it didn’t do well reheating the next day.

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      December 31, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      Peas are a great addition! Glad you enjoyed! Creamy pasta is definitely tricky to reheat. Adding a touch of liquid to the sauce sometimes helps.

      Reply

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