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Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

A close-up of Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta tossed in a rich sauce and topped with diced chicken and fresh parsley.
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A quick recipe for chicken pasta featuring a light, bright lemon cream sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb pasta (linguine or fettuccine)
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1 cup low-fat milk or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup ricotta cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • Zest of 1 large lemon
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the white wine or broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it reduce slightly, about 2 minutes.
  5. Stir in the milk or half-and-half, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese and ricotta cheese (if using) until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until well coated in the sauce.
  8. Stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a healthier sauce, substitute Greek yogurt for the ricotta cheese.
  • Use fresh lemon zest and juice; bottled juice changes the flavor profile.
  • If you prefer a richer sauce, use heavy cream instead of milk or half-and-half.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/creamy-lemon-chicken-pasta-fresh-and-light/